Potatoes top veggie and fruit imports

LAZARUS AMUKESHEPOTATOES were the most imported vegetable in 2018, last year’s trade statistics on fruits and vegetables show.

Of about N$748 million worth of fruits and vegetables imported into Namibia last year, potatoes took up the largest share at N$169 million with about 26 000 tonnes.

The figure includes sweet and frozen potatoes. Potato exports to countries like Angola stood at N$4 million.

In 2018, Namibia was a net exporter of fruits and vegetables, with N$876 million worth of exports. Dates and grapes were the most exported fruits, at N$63 million and N$658 million, respectively.

According to a report by First Capital (Pty) Ltd titled ‘Food Prices’ Review and Outlook 2018′, potatoes, apples, onions and tomatoes had the most demand on the local market.

Last year, about 64% of fresh garden produce was imported into the country, with the local market covering the remainder.

This year, the Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB) said vegetable imports had dropped to 50% due to local import substitution, but local produce to cover on fruits still needs supplementation.

Namibia’s top 10 consumed vegetables are potatoes, onions, butternut, cabbage, green beans, carrots, English cucumber, sweet potato and beetroot.

Onions and tomatoes worth N$42 million were imported into the country.

Apple imports came second to potatoes at N$83 million, followed by bananas at N$31 million.

reported last week that the NAB had temporarily closed the border for the importation of cabbages, carrots, unwashed/brushed potatoes, butternut, tomatoes, English cucumbers and beetroot in five and 10 kilogramme packages.

The imports of pears stood at N$13 million, carrots stood at N$7 million, mangoes and guavas at N$6 million, and kiwi fruit at N$2 million. Fresh figs worth N$56 000 were imported into the country.

Apart from dates and grapes, Namibians also exported onions worth N$50 million, watermelons worth N$3 million and tomatoes valued at N$20 million.

Namibia imported N$7,3 million worth of strawberries and raspberries in 2018.

From 2014 to 2018, Namibia imported N$3,4 billion worth of fruits and vegetables, and recorded N$3,1 billion worth of exports.

Key trading countries include South Africa, Zambia, China, Botswana, Angola, and the United Arab Emirates, who bought N$77 million worth of grapes and dates during the 2014-2018 period.

In an interview at MTC’s masters of success event in 2015, Leap Holdings co-founder Ally Angula said trade statistics had helped her focus on growing potatoes and founding her Leap Agri branch which deals in agricultural produce.

The Namibia Statistics Agency’s public relations practitioner, Nelson Ashipala, once said his office has issued various trade statistics reports that can help entrepreneurs know which products to grow, as well as how and where they can market and distribute their produce effectively.