Borders Closed for Most Vegetable Imports This Month

 

By: Loise Shiimi

 

The Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB) has announced that the country’s borders will be closed to nearly all vegetable imports throughout December.

From 1 to 31 December, the importation of 15 out of 20 specially controlled crops is prohibited. Only one crop, sweet potatoes, can be imported without restrictions, while four others can be imported on a pro-rata basis.

According to a notice issued by NAB chief executive Fidelis Mwazi to all horticultural traders, the border is closed to all types and sizes of beetroot, butternut, cabbage, carrots, English cucumber, colored peppers, green peppers, pumpkins, Jam tomatoes, cocktail tomatoes, round tomatoes, watermelon, sweetcorn, sweet melon, and spinach, with a few exceptions.

Mwazi explained that while local producers have not met domestic demand for sweet potatoes, imports of this crop remain unrestricted.