By: Nghiinomenwa Erastus
In one of the rare moments in the country’s horticulture production patterns, the local farmers have planted and will wash enough potatoes for June for the domestic market.
The Namibia Agronomic Board (NAB) has announced its monthly notice to importers and traders, which was revised on 16 June 2022.
The information from the Board has also indicated that the small and medium producers are contributing significantly to the potato supply.
“Border closed for the importation of all types, size groups, and container sizes fresh, chilled, whole, or cut potato,” the Board wrote.
One of the horticultural products that Namibian producers stubbornly struggle to supply adequately are potatoes, more specifically washed potatoes.
The country’s average monthly potato demand from June to September is estimated to be around 2 989 tons.
For June, it is not only potatoes that local producers have planted sufficiently to meet local demand. There are other 12 products out of 18 controlled products which will be supplied fully by local producers.
These are beetroot, butternut, cabbage, carrots, English cucumber, coloured pepper, green pepper, onions, pumpkin, round tomato, jam tomato and lettuce (iceberg).
As for sweet potatoes, the local producers will only be able to produce/supply 80 per cent of the formal market requirement. The remaining 20 per cent will be sourced outside.
The country border will be, however, open wide (without restriction) for the importation of five horticulture products; gem squash, watermelon, sweet melon, sweetcorn and spinach.
However, those producing the five products can notify the Board as the 47 per cent Market Share Promotion rule still applies.
It is also noted that certain products can grow well in winter, while some do in summer. But given the country’s different climatic conditions, production can be spread according to seasons around the country.
The data submitted shows that producers of butternuts, cabbage, onions and pumpkins will produce more than what the formal requires, able to supply the informal markets and sufficiently to export if there are markets.
Butternuts and cabbages producers are expected to have a production surplus of around 410 tons and 462 tons, respectively, for the month of June.
Planting and harvesting data received by the Board for onions and pumpkins production for the month indicates that there will be a surplus of around 116 tons and 115 tons for the two products, respectively.
Since May, onions harvest data have been quite promising, exceeding local demand, and it is also forecasted that more-than-adequate production levels will continue till September this year.
The import restrictions are subjected to changes. However, the changes heavily depend on the updated production data from the producers.
Thus, producers are encouraged to immediately notify NAB in case of deviations from their cropping program or in the event of crop failures as a result of factors beyond producers’ control.
Email: erastus@thevillager.com.na
