Namibia’s table grapes remain in high demand on the global market, particularly in the hugely lucrative European market and local growers have predicted the 2024/25 season’s market returns to be the best-ever experienced.
The increased demand for the country’s table grapes was further solidified by the timely delivery of the products into the various markets much quicker than last year, resulting in regular deliveries throughout the season.
It was also one of the best-planned logistics seasons, with significant exports for the first time through Walvis Bay, and an express shipping service included by MSC in its service between southern Africa and Europe.
Shipments through Walvis Bay relieved pressure on the port of Cape Town, which also handled a significant number of containers from Namibia.
Globally, Namibia ranks as the 17th-largest producer of table grapes, holding approximately 0.77% of the global trade value in 2022, a position that underscores the potential for growth and greater market share among dominant producers such as Chile, Peru and South Africa.
Grape consumption in Namibia is anticipated to remain unchanged in the coming five years, with 3,000 metric tonnes expected by 2026. This figure has been relatively consistent since 2017, with growth forecasted to reach 1.9% year-on-year at 35,300 metric tonnes by 2026.
Since its inception in 1988 along the verdant stretches of the Orange River, the Namibian table grape industry has emerged as a pivotal sector within the nation’s agricultural economy, showcasing an impressive trajectory of growth and economic contribution.
From an initial export volume of 1,917 metric tonnes in 1997, the industry’s output expanded significantly to 33,336 tonnes by 2021, as highlighted by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
This growth in production volume is mirrored by a notable increase in economic value, with grape export earnings rising from N$60 million in 2003 to over N$1,2 billion in 2022.
Supply chains
Logistics company GoGlobal said it used both the Walvis Bay and Cape Town shipping options for its container shipments from Namibia.
“We had a very successful logistics season for our customers in Namibia,” said Delena Engelbrecht, GoGlobal CEO.
There has been great interest in new early season varieties, particularly the Arra range, in the country.
“Arra Honey Pop is now confirmed as a strongly growing early new generation white grape, enabling the producers and marketers to service the early season market with better white grape varieties,” said Andre Agenbag, Topfruit’s table grape expert dealing with the Namibian and South African Orange River regions.
Other promising varieties launched under the ‘Arra Red Factor’ strategy were Arra Fire Crunch and Arra Cherry Crush. “Fire Crunch has really impressed all and Cherry Crunch, a little bit later also did well,” added Agenbag.
Buoyed by excellent weather conditions and a bigger crop, growers in the Aussenkehr Valley in southern Namibia all started packaging for the export market last November, and around 60 containers a day left the valley for the journey by road to Cape Town before heading to Europe.
The Namibian industry is optimistic that it will reach its target of around 7.5 million cartons this season. In recent years, export volumes have been holding around the 6.5 million carton mark after initial predictions that the industry would reach 10 million cartons by 2020.
Namibia has over the years transformed its varietal profile, with the leading new varieties in the world replacing some of the older ones.
It seems that these varieties are now making their mark, and Namibia is set for growth of around 7 % every year for the next five years.
The early production areas in South Africa are also expected to start packing reasonable volumes soon.
In its first crop forecast, South African industry organisation SATI predicted that harvesting in the early areas will be between seven and 10 days later than normal.
High demand
There is an apparent divergence between the growth rates of export value and quantity starting in approximately 2011, with the export value rising more rapidly.
This could suggest an increase in the unit price of grapes, potentially due to enhanced quality, better market positioning, or a shift toward premium grape varieties that fetch higher prices on the international market.
The graph’s trajectory suggests positive economic outcomes for Namibia, with potential implications, including increased investment, job-creation and a focus on policy initiatives tailored to sustain the industry’s growth.
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