Namibia exports more beef to China, as trade grows

Namibia’s trade with China has registered growth in several sectors, with beef exports rising to N$59.9 million in 2023.

This is an increase from N$50.02 million in 2022.

According to a recent statement issued by spokesperson for the Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade Elijah Mukubonda, the N$9.89 million increase in beef exports translates to growth of 19.8% year on year.

“This positive trend highlights the growing demand for high-quality Namibian beef in China and underscores the deepening trade relationship between the two countries, while demonstrating a clear alignment with the growing Chinese market’s preferences,” he says.

Namibia was the first African country to sign a beef export agreement with China in 2015, and the first batch of beef products, totalling 21 tonnes, was shipped out in 2019.

Namibian beef is considered a high-value product in markets such as the United States, United Kingdom and China, and the volumes exported are usually small.

According to Mukubonda, the current protocol between Namibia and China only allows for the export of beef, but negotiations between the two governments have been ongoing to review the situation.

“These culminated in the signing of the protocol on inspection, quarantine and hygiene requirements for mutton and chevon (goat meat) to be exported from Namibia to China in September, in Beijing, China,” he says.

This new protocol will allow for the export of frozen or chilled deboned or bone-in mutton and chevon, Mukubonda says.

He further says president Nangolo Mbumba announced at the recent China-Africa Forum that Namibia had increased its export of mutton and dried fruit to China.

“This presents new opportunities for Namibia to further diversify its export markets and increase small-stock production, especially in the communal areas, to benefit women and youth.”

Mukubonda says other areas of cooperation between the two countries were in the area of investment and infrastructure development, mining, education and healthcare.

He made an example of improvements to the B1 highway that have enhanced connectivity within Namibia, facilitating trade and creating local employment opportunities.

“China’s investment in the Husab Mine has boosted Namibia’s uranium output, contributing a significant 14.4% to Namibia’s gross domestic product in 2023, an increase from 11.9% in 2022, according to the latest annual national account,” says Mukubonda.

This collaboration is mutually beneficial, as machinery and technical expertise from China are employed in these projects, bolstering both economies, he adds.

Trade relations with China also diversified Namibia’s export markets, reducing reliance on the country’s traditional markets of the European Union and the Southern African Development Community, he notes.

In addition, China has made available capacity building initiatives with scholarships and training programmes for Namibian students and officials.

In 2023 alone, 38 Namibian students received scholarships, while 11 officials participated in bilateral training programmes in China.

Furthermore, investment in the construction of rural schools underscores China’s commitment to supporting Namibia’s education sector.

Mukubonda highlights that prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, China supported Namibia’s healthcare system, funding the construction of hospitals and clinics and promoting wellness programmes for women and children.

– email: matthew@namibian.com.na