THE importation of half of the 18 controlled horticultural products on the special Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB) list is still banned.
According to a statement by the board’s chief executive officer, Fidelis Mwazi, dated 24 March, all types of beetroot, butternut, carrot, English cucumber, green pepper, pumpkin, round/jam tomato, water melon and sweetcorn remain on the redlist.
The ban is to protect local producers against competition and inferior imports, as the country has sufficient supplies to meet demand for April.
“This closure of the border and pro rata imports are in line with the Agronomic Industry Act (Act 20 of 1992), and the Namibian Horticulture Market Share Promotion (MSP) Scheme rules and regulations,” the statement reads.
Gem squash, onions, potatos washed and sweet melons can be imported without restriction, but the 47% MSP applies, the board says.
In terms of the MSP scheme, importers of fresh horticulture produce are required to source a minimum percentage of their products from Namibian producers prior to qualifying for an import permit in a given quarter.
Only 30% of cabbages of all types and sizes can be imported, while all types of coloured pepper can be imported in the first two weeks of April only.
“Only 20% importation of sweet potatoes will be allowed, except for the orange sweet potato and exclusions,” the board says, adding that only 30% of lettuce (iceberg) and spinach will be permitted until 31 April.
The purpose of the controls is also to implement the local marketing mechanisms for agronomy and horticultural crops in respect of border closures and/or restriction of imports of certain products.
The NAB controls produce importation through the Noordoewer, Ariamsvlei, Buitepos, Muhembo, Ngoma, Wenela, Katwitwi, Oshikango, Omahenene, and Walvis Bay points of entry and exit of Namibia.
Email: matthew@namiban,com.na
