Border open for importation of more crops

THE Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB) has opened the border for the importation of more crops than it has put on the closed list for the period 1 to 31 October.

In a notice to all horticulture traders, NAB chief executive Fidelis Mwazi said of the 19 specially controlled products, coloured pepper, gem squash, potato (washed), pumpkin, sweet potato, water melon, sweet melon and spinach can be imported without restriction but the 47% market share promotion (MSP) applies.

“The border is also open for the importation of sweetcorn without restriction, except for the 47% MSP but this applies from 1 to 15 October,” said Mwazi.

The MSP scheme is a growth-at-home strategy implemented by the NAB to stimulate horticultural production in Namibia and promote local sales of locally produced fresh fruit and vegetables by encouraging importers such as the wholesalers, catering companies and retailers to source locally.

Importers of fresh fruit and vegetables must procure 47% MSP as a prerequisite to obtaining an import permit, which means only traders/importers who have achieved their minimum MSP are allowed to import horticultural products unrestricted.

The NAB closed the border for the importation of all sizes of beetroot, butternut, cabbage, carrot, English cucumber, onion, cocktail/cherry/mini plum tomato as well as round tomato.

This is an indication that local producers are able to meet the local demand for these products.

However, where producers are likely to partially meet local demand, Mwazi has put the importation of some crops on a pro-rata basis.

“In line with the Agronomic Industry Act and the Namibian Horticulture MSP scheme rules and regulations, 50% pro-rata importation will be implemented for all types and sizes of green pepper, and jam tomato, except for the exclusions,” said Mwazi.

He also said for the month of October, 30% importation of all types and sizes of lettuce (iceberg) will be allowed, except for the exclusions. – email: matthew@namibian.com.na