By: Nghiinomenwa-vali Hangala
For 2025, Namibian consumers have spent on average N$56 million importing potatoes through wholesalers, retailers, and individual buyers.
This is according to the Agriculture and Fishing Indicators Bulletin – Fourth Quarter 2025, as compiled by the Namibia Statistics Agency.
Potatoes are part of horticulture, and are a monitored product in Namibia, with various efforts going on around the country to increase capacity.
For the 12 months of last year, the country spent N$226.6 million on importing potatoes, mostly from South Africa.
In the first quarter of 2025, the country spent the most, N$76.3 million, while the lowest potato imports were recorded in the third quarter at N$38.2 million.
Potato is the number one horticultural product consumed in Namibia, with an annual domestic demand of about 30,000 tons, valued at approximately N$246 million, for formal markets.
However, local production only covers about 34% (N$84 million or 8,203 tons) of the annual domestic demand, and 66% (N$162 million or 21,488 tons) is imported mainly from South Africa.
The country’s intervention is a Potato Value Chain Development Scheme (PVCDS) aimed at ensuring that start-up farmers have access to high-quality certified seeds, fertilisers, and agrochemicals through a subsidy programme.
Moreover, support by training and mentorship, market security, and access to affordable finance for primary production will be provided under the Scheme.
The second-most imported horticulture product in 2025 was apples, for which the country spent N$123.7 million last year.
On average, the country spent N$30.9 million every quarter in 2025 on apples.
The third-most imported horticulture product last year was bananas.
Every quarter last year, Namibia spent between N$10-N$15 million on banana imports.
Ongoing interventions have revealed that the Etunda Banana trial project, which consists of 1,104 banana crops, is expected to yield 30-40 tonnes from 0.6 hectares, which researchers say are showing encouraging growth and production levels.
During the period under review, the import bill for horticulture products was valued at N$1.7 billion.
Potatoes were the highest imported products, followed by apples and bananas.
Horticulture products were mainly sourced from South Africa, accounting for 90 percent during the period under review.
erastus@thevillager.com.na
