ONGWEDIVA – Namibians are consuming more and more locally produced grapes, says Jacob Hamutenya who is the regional manager of the Ongwediva Fresh Produce Business Hub.
According to Hamutenya, the Agriculture Marketing Trading Agency (AMTA) that falls under the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry and oversees the fresh produce hubs has successfully negotiated for more Namibian grapes to be sold and distributed locally. The agreement came into effect mid-December last year.
Vineyards including those at Aussenkehr, Noordoewer and Komsberg along the Orange River produce prime market grapes. However, about 90 percent the grapes, considered to be of superior value, were primarily exported to Europe, leaving the way open for major grape imports from South Africa.
“The whole aim of the AMTA is to make sure that local produce are consumed locally, no matter what,” Hamutenya said.
Currently six agents at the Ongwediva hub sell grapes from local farmers, earning a commission of 7 percent on the sold produce. Three agents sell produce exclusively to retail shops while the other three sell to the general public.
Apart from Ongwediva, farmers also take their produce to the Rundu hub. Government is busy constructing a third fresh produce hub at Wanaheda in Windhoek, which is going to be the AMTA headquarters.
Hamutenya says that produce sold at the fresh produce hubs are cheaper in comparison to local supermarkets, because the hubs supply the retail shops.
“Buying from the AMTA hubs is the same as buying from a fresh produce hub in Cape Town or KwaZulu-Natal. The difference is that by buying from us you cut transport costs and other risks involved,” Hamutenya elaborated.
By Helvy Shaanika