Namibian grapes soon to be sold in China

Namibia is in the final stages of signing an agreement that will see the country gaining access to China’s grape market of 1.3 billion people.

This is estimated to earn the country N$200 million seasonally from China’s market.

Currently, the grape sector brings in about N$1.3 billion.

Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) spokesperson Catherine Shipushu yesterday said the process of expanding agricultural exports to China has been ongoing over the past few years.

The first major breakthrough was the approval of Namibian beef exports in 2018.

“Currently, the draft agreement for grape exports is with the Chinese authorities for final approval and signature,” she said.

Although China is the largest producer of table grapes, Namibia will be filling seasonal supply gaps.

“Seasonal supply gaps and rising consumer demand for premium quality off-season grapes continue to create opportunities for import,” Shipushu said.

According to the International Trade Centre, China’s imports of fresh table grapes averaged approximately US$400 million between 2023 and 2024.

“Namibia’s harvest period (November to January) falls outside northern grape production, making it an ideal supplier for China’s off-season demand,” Shipushu said.

She said although official revenue projections have not been made yet, the new market will bring in millions.

“Even a conservative scenario, exporting just 10 000 tonnes to China at N$20/kg would yield N$200 million in seasonal export earnings, with significant room to grow production,” she said.

Shipushu said the opportunity to export grapes to China is open to all Namibian producers that meet the requirements.

Key players currently positioned for export include Namibia Grape Company and Namibian Grapes Export (Pty) Ltd.

“Currently, the NIPDB has engaged Namibian grape farms along the Orange River, such as those at Aussenkehr, which are established producers of high-quality table grapes for export,” said Shipushu.

This development comes at a time it is needed after the United States (US) decided to increase import tariffs on Namibia to 21%.

The first Namibian grapes entered the US market in 2006.

This was after six years of battling to meet strict US sanitary requirements.

In 2022, Namibia was ranked as the 17th-largest producer of table grapes globally.

Additionally, Namibian grapes were sold at major supermarkets in the United Kingdom (UK) for the first time last year.

The total amount of exported grapes in December 2024 was N$815.4 million, with the UK and The Netherlands as the main buyers.

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