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Crop exports triple to N$1.9 billion thanks to local policies

Namibia’s horticulture sector has seen significant growth, with exports rising to N$1.9 billion.

This is thanks to the country’s Market Share Promotion (MSP) scheme ensuring traders procure 47% of their requirements from local producers before they are allowed permits to import crops.

Crop exports grew from N$674 million in 2010 to N$1.9 billion in 2023, due to this scheme.

This resulted in an increase in the number of horticultural producers, particularly between 2020 and 2023, in turn leading to an increase in agricultural exports.

Speaking at this year’s Namibia Agronomy and Horticulture Awards, Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB) chief executive Fidelis Mwazi said the scheme had driven production from 38% in 2022 to 40% in 2023.

“However, our grain self-sufficiency decreased from 38% in 2022 to 20% in 2023, due to drought,” he said.

The event was held at the Olushandja Marketing Hub in the Omusati region.

The NAB at the awards donated N$1 million to Namibia’s drought-relief fund.

Also attending the event were the governors of Omusati and Oshana regions, Erginus Endjala and Elia Irimari, as well as the executive director in the Office of the Prime Minister, I-Ben Nashandiww and NAB board chairperson Hubertus Hamm.

In line with the Agronomic Industry Act and the MSP rules and regulations, Mwazi closed the border for the importation of 11 of the 20 controlled products from 1 to 31 October.

The border is also closed for the importation of all types and sizes of beetroot, butternut, cabbage, English cucumber and onion.

Also closed for importation are all types and sizes of pumpkin, cocktail tomato, round tomato, watermelon, sweet melon and spinach as the country has enough for the month.

According to Mwazi, this is to help the nascent horticultural sector grow and to protect local farmers, who have produced enough crops to meet local demand, against competition from cheap imports.

According to a notice to all horticulture traders dated 24 September, the border is open for the importation of gem squash, potato (washed) and sweetcorn, without restrictions, although the 47% MSP applies.

Where farmers have not been able to produce enough to satisfy demand, the regulator has permitted the importation of those crops on a pro-rata basis.

“The border will be open for the importation of 15% of all types and sizes of jam tomato, except for the exclusions,” the notice reads.

The border will also be open for the importation of 20% of all types and sizes of lettuce (iceberg), 30% of coloured pepper, 40% of carrot and 50% of both green pepper and sweet potato.

– email: matthew@namibian.com.na

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