Namibia recorded a N$743-million food trade surplus in June despite its overall trade deficit widening to a record N$5.5 billion.
This is according to the latest international merchandise trade statistics bulletin of the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA).
NSA statistician general and chief executive Alex Shimuafeni says this has resulted in the country earning a food trade surplus of N$743 million – despite the country’s overall trade deficit widening to N$5.5 billion.
Shimuafeni says exported goods were worth N$12.9 billion during the month, while imports reached a record N$18.3 billion.
This left the country with a trade deficit of N$5.5 billion, up from N$3.2 billion in May.
“A closer review of trade in food items revealed that Namibia was a net exporter with a trade surplus of N$743 million”, Shimuafeni says.
Furthermore, he says exports increased by 1.2% from May and were 7.6% higher than in June last year.
Meanwhile, imports rose by 14.9% from May and by 62.1%, compared to June 2025, pushing the country’s import bill to its highest level during the period under review.
NSA data shows Namibia exported goods worth N$67.2 billion for the first six months of this year.
This was N$3.1 billion more than during the same period last year.
“Imports reached N$87.2 billion, compared to N$72.8 billion during the first half of 2025,” the bulletin says.
Shimuafeni says China was Namibia’s biggest export market in June, while South Africa remained the country’s largest source of imports.
Namibia’s main exports were uranium, non-monetary gold, diamonds, nickel ores and concentrates, with fish being the only non-mineral product among the top-five exports.
The mining and quarrying sector remained the country’s biggest export earner, bringing in N$6.7 billion.
Manufacturing contributed to 43.1% of exports, while agriculture, forestry and fishing accounted for 4.2%.
Uranium was the country’s biggest export product in June, making up 22.3% of total exports.
This was followed by non-monetary gold at 11.8%, fish at 10.8%, diamonds at 10.3%, and nickel ores and concentrates at 10.3%.
Together, Shimuafeni says these five products made up 65.5% of Namibia’s total exports.
On the import side, manufactured goods accounted for the largest share, reaching N$12.7 billion. Mining and quarrying products followed at N$5.4 billion.
Petroleum oils remained Namibia’s biggest import, making up 22.1% of total imports. Other major imports included sulphur and unroasted iron pyrites, nickel ores and concentrates, commercial vehicles and fertilisers.
The report also shows Namibia exported goods to 109 countries in June – eight more than in May.
“The country imported goods from 159 countries, four fewer than the previous month,” the bulletin says.
China, Botswana and Finland recorded trade surpluses with Namibia.
However, the country posted its biggest trade deficits with the United States, South Africa and Oman.
