Namibia’s agricultural overall output remains low, as the country imported cereal grains worth about N$100 million during the first quarter of this year.

This marks an increase of 66.3% when compared to the N$587.3 million recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2024.

Since the start of the year, Namibia has imported maize valued at N$659.2 million, followed by wheat worth around N$293.6 million and rice valued at N$5.7 million.

The latest Quarterly Agriculture Statistical Bulletin from the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) revealed that the above cereal grains imported during the quarter under review were mainly sourced from South Africa.

This accounted for 51.1% of the country’s total imports. The Russian Federation supplied 23.6% of Namibia’s needs. 

The United States of America was the third biggest contributor to Namibia’s cereal grains imports, which were 19.0%. 

White maize was the main product sourced from South Africa and the United States of America, while wheat was mainly sourced from the Russian Federation.  

The country’s total agronomy production in the first quarter of 2025 stood at 1 578 tonnes compared to 2 860 tonnes registered in the corresponding quarter of 2024.

This translates into a decline of 44.8% in the production level attributable to white maize and millet which recorded negative growths of 56.5% and 74.9%, respectively. 

These declines are attributed to the harvest and marketing seasons, which made it hard for the country’s farmers to reach peak output for their various crop products.

White maize production stood at 958 tonnes at the start of 2025, which is a decline compared to 2 203 tonnes recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2024. 

This represents a decline of 56.5% when compared to 2024. 

Figures also show that millet production stood at 47 tonnes compared to 187 tonnes recorded in the first quarter of 2024, translating into a decline of 74.9%. However, wheat production stood at 573 tonnes compared to 471 tonnes recorded in the same quarter of 2024, translating into an increase of 21.8% in the production level

Improved exports

On a positive note, the country’s total export of agronomy products in the first quarter of 2025 was valued at N$1.8 million, a massive increase when compared to the N$560 000 recorded in 2024. 

Export earnings were mainly from wheat, which accounted for 100% of the total earnings. 

The export of cereal grains in the first quarter of 2025 was destined for Botswana.

 The main product exported was wheat. 

The huge increase in the exports of agronomy in the quarter under review is due to the re-export of wheat, which was imported for human consumption, but was later exported.

– ohembapu@nepc.com.na