More produce closed for importation in May

The Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB) has closed the border for the importation of 11 crops from the list of 20 controlled products for the period from 1 to 31 May.

This is an indication that horticulture farmers have produced enough of the listed products to satisfy the country’s demand.

According to a notice signed by NAB chief executive officer Fidelis Mwazi on 24 April, the border is closed for the importation of all types and sizes of fresh, chilled, whole or cut butternut, cabbage, English cucumber, coloured and green pepper, as well as gem squash, except for exclusions.

The other crops on the list closed for imports are pumpkin, sweet potato, jam tomato, cocktail/cherry/mini plum tomato and round tomato.

According to Mwazi, the closure of the border is in line with the Agronomic Industry Act and the Namibian horticulture market share promotion scheme rules and regulations to protect local farmers from competition from cheap imports that might hinder the growth of the local industry.

Because of the import restrictions, local farmers are not only able to sell most of their produce, but they are also able to realise better returns.

Mwazi has put four crops on the pro-rata special import permit for the month to allow for shortfalls in local production.

“Importation of all types and sizes of beetroot has been set at 20% from 1 to 15 May only, and importation of all sizes of carrot has been set at 50% for the month except for exclusions in both cases,” said Mwazi.

He, however, set the pro-rata importation of all types and sizes of sweetcorn and lettuce (iceberg) at 30% for all sizes except for exclusions.

Mwazi left the importation of all size groups of spinach, onion, potato washed, water melon and sweet melon open although the 47% MSP applies. This implies that local farmers are unable to produce enough of these four crops to satisfy demand in the country for the month of May.

NAB monitors all Namibian borders to regulate the movement of agronomic and horticultural products into and out of the country.

The purpose is to implement the local marketing mechanisms for agronomy and horticultural crops in respect of border closures and importation of certain products. It is also to safeguard the consumer both in Namibia and at export markets from products that may be of sub-standard quality and food safety risks.

– email: matthew@namibian.com.na

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