Over Half a Billion Spent on Fruit and Vegetable Imports in a Year

By: Nghiinomenwa-vali Erastus

 

Namibia has spent N$43.7 million monthly, totaling N$524.1 million for the financial year 2022/23, to import 66,823 tons of fruits and vegetables.

These import figures, revealed by the Namibia Agronomic Board (NAB), underscores the country’s agricultural opportunities and its dependence on foreign sources for food.

Potatoes lead the imports, costing N$138.9 million for 28,804.06 tons last year, while local production amounted to 8,898.37 tons.

Other produce that the country has struggled to produce locally are apples and oranges.

As such, the country spent about N$73.5 million to import 9,642.86 tons of apples and N$32.5 million on 4,770.72 tons of oranges.

Namibia also heavily relies on imports for banana supply and spent N$16.4 million for 6,394.43 tons of the fruit accordingly.