The Agro-Marketing and Trade Agency (AMTA) is concerned about certain individuals who have been accused of smuggling fresh produce into the country via ungazetted entry points from neighbouring countries such as Zambia and Angola. This smuggled fresh produce varies from fresh tomatoes, potatoes, beans, onions, avocados and paw paws.
This news did not go down well with AMTA, as these illegal activities hamper and rob local farmers of an opportunity to supply fresh produce. “It is sad to note that during these trying times post Covid-19, when the country is striving to grow and stabilise its economy, some citizens allegedly resort to such syndicates of smuggling in fresh produce,” reacted AMTA spokesperson Pasval Elijah.
Elijah said although these activities may hamper the efforts of farmers and the agency through market destabilisation, AMTA continues to work tirelessly to fulfil its objective of supporting local farmers.
The illegal smuggling syndicates were confirmed by Zambezi community policing unit commander, Kisco Sitali. “We have seen a number of commodities such as beans, groundnuts, peanuts, tomatoes, onions and sweet potatoes being smuggled into Namibia and sold on the black market”.
After the police confiscates these commodities, they rope in health inspectors from the region to inspect the products before issuing a disposal order.
Although he could not quantify the monetary value of these goods, Sitali said in most cases, the goods, particularly those that are perishable, are destroyed, while those of value are sold at public auctions.
AMTA’s national fresh produce business hubs, where local farmers sell their products, are fully operational. These include the operations of the Rundu, Ongwediva and Windhoek collection hubs as well as AMTA’s Gobabis distribution centre.
Meanwhile, AMTA’s Elijah informed the nation that a variety of product lines are readily available. These are goods ranging from locally-produced vegetables such as potatoes, tomatoes, onions, pumpkins, butternuts, cabbages as well as some imported fresh produce secured during open border periods.
“We are currently in locally-produced watermelon harvest season, followed by grapes. Therefore, we have watermelons from local farmers at all our hubs. Apart from that, we also have apples, naartjies as well as bananas”.
Although the smuggling of maize meal into Namibia from neighbouring countries is likewise a concern for the police, AMTA said the agency is trading with its own milled products from locally-produced grain (both mahangu and white maize) under the Golden Fresh brand.
“Additionally, we are also trading with locally-produced eggs and Ngongo oil. At the Windhoek Collection Hub, we are stocking locally-produced frozen MeatMa products,” Elijah added. She further stated that AMTA remains firm and committed, and will continue to fulfill its mandate to support local farmers by ensuring local products receive priority in the domestic market. – anakale@nepc.com.na