By: Nghiinomenwa Erastus
Angola has taken up around five various Namibian products from grain, vegetables, fruits, cattle, and milk in the second quarter of 2021.
This is according to the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA)’ Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Sector Statistical Bulletin for the second quarter (April to June) of 2021.
The bulletin highlighted that the country’s cereal crops exports were mainly destined to Angola which claimed 98,7% of the export market share.
The export of cereal crops stood at N$702,500 during 2021Q2, a decrease from N$716,4 thousand recorded in 2020Q2.
Maize contributed more to export recording N$692 700.
Maize is produced both under rain-fed and irrigation, hence, persistently dominates the cereal export market.
During the quarter under review, Angola also took up 16% of Namibia’s vegetables.
Foreign demand for locally produced vegetables (export) stood at N$24 million during the period under review, an increase from N$18,2 million recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2020.
Tomatoes, pumpkins, squash and gourds’ and Onions claimed the highest shares of aggregated vegetable export, recording N$5 million, N$4,8 million, and N$3,5 million, respectively.
“Vegetables were mainly exported to South Africa (67%), followed by Angola and the United Kingdom both claiming a share of 16,3% each,” the bulletin revealed.
Despite Namibia being a net importer of vegetables, there was an improvement in the trade deficit mainly emanating from the classes of pumpkins, squash, and gourds.
Chillies and peppers, green and broad beans and horse beans, green also recorded trade surpluses as the country spread its export in Angola beyond usual markets.
Angola also came in for Namibia a few fruits (0,6%) that are mostly sent to South Africa and UK.
The production of dates is usually high, according to NSA’s observation because of good rainfall in the normally arid desert where they are grown.
However, despite production volume, prices for the 2021 harvest were slightly lower than they were in 2020 due to the increase in international carryover of fruit from 2020.
This resulted in a decline in the value of dates exported from N$26,5 million reported in 2020Q2 down to N$25,5 million registered in the same quarter of 2021.
Fruits and nuts were mainly destined to South Africa, United Kingdom, and Angola claiming the export market share of 90,9%, 7,9%, and 0,6%, respectively.
Despite the dwindling dairy industry, the export of milk of cattle was valued at N$2 800 compared to N$3 200 reported in 2020Q2.
Milk of cattle was entirely exported to Angola, NSA noted.
Angola is also the only country that imports live animals from Namibia, apart from South Africa. Email: erastus@thevillager.com.na
