Namibia spends US$47M on grain imports as domestic production plummets by 57%

NAMIBIA – Namibia’s cereal grain imports soared to N$718 million (US$47.5 million) in the final quarter of 2024, a significant jump from N$415.5 million (US$27.5 million) in the same period last year, according to the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA)’s latest Agriculture Statistical Bulletin.

According to the bulletin, this surge highlights the nation’s growing dependence on imports due to persistent drought and declining domestic production.

Maize was the most imported cereal, valued at N$413.4 million (US$27.3 million), followed by wheat at N$269.4 million (US$17.8 million) and rice at N$6.7 million (US$442,000).

The bulk of these imports came from South Africa, which accounted for 65.6% of Namibia’s total cereal grain imports. Russia and Poland followed, contributing 26.6% and 6.6%, respectively.

Meanwhile, the bulletin revealed a sharp decline in Namibia’s domestic agronomy production, which fell by 57% year-on-year in the third quarter of 2024. Total output stood at just 8,571 tonnes compared to 19,940 tonnes during the same period in 2023.

White maize and millet, key staples, were hit hardest. White maize production dropped to 8,366 tonnes from 19,343 tonnes, a decline of 56.7%.

Millet production fared worse, plummeting by 75.4% from 831 tonnes in 2023 to just 204 tonnes in 2024. Wheat production was non-existent during the quarter under review.

Namibia’s agronomy export earnings also saw modest gains, rising to just over N$75,000 (US$4,975) in the third quarter of 2024, up from N$62,000 (US$4,100) in the same period of 2023.

Maize accounted for the lion’s share (89.8%) of agronomy export earnings, with Angola, Cyprus, and the Democratic Republic of Congo being the main destinations.

Horticulture exports steady amid challenges

Despite the challenges in cereal grain production, Namibia’s export of horticultural products remained steady. The value of exported horticultural goods rose slightly to N$242.9 million (US$16.1 million) in the third quarter of 2024, compared to N$241.7 million (US$16.0 million) during the same period in 2023.

Tomatoes led the pack, contributing N$94.6 million (US$6.3 million USD) to horticultural export earnings, followed by dates at N$43.5 million (US$2.9 million) and onions at N$42.2 million (US$2.8 million).

South Africa was the largest market, receiving 62.9% of Namibia’s horticultural exports, while Angola and Germany accounted for 12.3% and 8.3%, respectively.

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