While Namibia celebrates the success of its burgeoning grape and tomato export markets, a stark reality persists: the nation’s reliance on imported potatoes remains a significant challenge. A recent Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) report reveals that in the final four months of 2024, the country spent a staggering N$47.3 million on potatoes, primarily sourced from South Africa. This figure forms a substantial part of the total N$328.7 million spent on horticultural imports during the same period, a slight decrease from the previous year.
The government is actively working to address this import dependency, with projects like the Sikondo Green Scheme in the Kavango West region demonstrating the potential for local production. A successful harvest of 300 tonnes of potatoes in January offers a glimmer of hope, with further harvests planned throughout the year. The Sikondo project, boasting 850 hectares of irrigated land, represents a significant investment in local agriculture.
However, despite these efforts, South Africa continues to dominate Namibia’s horticultural import market, accounting for 95.7% of all products. Apples, tea leaves, vegetable seeds, and bananas also feature prominently on the import list, highlighting the ongoing struggle to achieve food self-sufficiency.
For nearly two decades, Namibia has strived to reduce its reliance on foreign produce, with the Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB) spearheading initiatives to bolster local farming. The country’s market share promotion scheme has yielded some success, increasing local vegetable production from a mere 5% to 56% of national needs. Yet, the original goal of 60% self-sufficiency, set for 2025, has been hampered by challenges, notably the availability of disease-free potato seed.
The irony is that Namibia is proving its agricultural prowess in other areas. Local tomatoes and onions are now successfully exported to South Africa and Angola, showcasing the potential for Namibian farmers. Similarly, the early harvest of Namibian blueberries and table grapes has found a lucrative market in Europe and Asia.
The export figures paint a contrasting picture. Namibia’s horticultural exports reached a value of N$1.39 billion in the fourth quarter of 2024, a 3.3% increase from the previous year. Grapes dominated the export market, followed by tomatoes and watermelons. The Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Germany were the primary export destinations.
While Namibia celebrates its export successes, the persistent reliance on imported potatoes serves as a stark reminder of the challenges that remain. The government’s continued investment in local agriculture, coupled with addressing the specific hurdles faced by potato farmers, will be crucial in achieving the nation’s long-term food security goals.
