Namibia exported less horticultural products in the second quarter of 2024 than during the same quarter in 2023.

The main products exported to South Africa, Angola, Kazakhstan and the United Kingdom were dates, tomatoes, pumpkin, squash, gourds and onions.
The Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) said this in its Agriculture and Fishing Indicators Bulletin Report for the Second Quarter of 2024 issued on
Wednesday.

“During the second quarter of 2024, Namibia exported horticultural products valued at N$139.1 million. This is lower than N$167.8 million that was exported in the same quarter of 2023,” the report said.

Dates were the top export product amounting to N$82 million, followed by tomatoes with N$22.1 million, and pumpkin, squash, and gourds in third place with an estimated value of N$12.7 million.

During the period under review, South Africa was the main export destination for horticulture products, accounting for 58.9%.

The import bill for horticulture products was valued at N$293.0 million compared to N$276 million recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2023.

“Stimulant, spice and aromatic crops were the highest imported products amounting to N$60 million, followed by potatoes with N$52.3 million, apples valued at N$28.2 million, tea leaves at N$16.5 million and bananas at N$12.7 million.” NSA said horticulture products were mainly sourced from South Africa, accounting for 97.1% of imports during the period under review.

Meanwhile, the agency indicated that during the second quarter of 2024, the locally-purchased controlled fresh produce is estimated at
5 515 tonnes, compared to 5 653 tonnes recorded in the same quarter of 2023.

During the period under review, onions dominated the local purchase, recording 991 tonnes, followed by potatoes with 953 tonnes.

Butternut, the report said, was in the third position, recording 582 tonnes, followed by cabbage in fourth place with purchases amounting to 551 tonnes.
-Nampa