Cabbages market in Namibia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, cabbage production in Namibia increased from 5 993 t to 6 301 t, while market volume grew from 6 094 t to 6 489 t. This growth was driven by the Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB) policy, which included import controls through the Market Share Promotion (MSP) scheme to protect local producers. The Green Scheme initiative encouraged irrigation-based farming, and in 2020, marketing standards and local sourcing requirements were implemented, further supporting domestic production.

After a temporary decline to 6 122 t in 2021, production recovered to 6 431 t in 2022 due to tighter import restrictions by NAB, which closed borders for cabbages and set an MSP threshold of around 41.5%. In 2023, production slightly decreased to 6 285 t, despite NAB's announcement of border closures for imports in December. That same year, the Shoprite Group invested in keeping cabbage prices affordable, reflecting consumer demand. Throughout the period, the Agro-Marketing and Trade Agency (AMTA) developed logistical infrastructure through Fresh Produce Business Hubs, improving market access for farmers.

Production cabbages in Namibia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of cabbages, 2017-2020

World map of production of cabbages, 2017-2020

Namibia's cabbage production volume increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 6 301 tonnes of cabbages, marking a 3.7% rise compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 5.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.7%. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 0.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Namibia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports cabbages from Namibia

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2018, with a 47-fold swing between these years. In 2020, Namibia exported 0.2 tonnes of cabbages, representing a sharp increase of 3,620.8% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 0.0 tonnes, while the maximum was in 2018 at 0.2 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 97.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Namibia in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the main cluster of markets for Namibia's cabbage exports in kind consisted of Angola, with 30.2% of exports, Seychelles at 23.2%, and Bermuda at 14.5%. Together, these three countries accounted for 68.0% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Namibia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during the period. Import levels varied 62-fold, with the low in 2019 and the high in 2018. In 2020, Namibia's cabbage export volume totaled 0.2 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp increase of 2,354.3% from the year before. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 0.0 thousand US dollars, and the maximum was in 2018 at 0.4 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 98.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Namibia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, three main markets—Angola, Bermuda, and Seychelles—together absorbed 77.8% of the total value of Namibia's cabbage exports.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Namibia in value, 2017-2020

Imports cabbages to Namibia

Imports in kind, t

Namibia's cabbage import volumes increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 188.0 tonnes, up by 44.3% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports rose by 15.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 5.1%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 101.8 tonnes, and the largest decline occurred in the same year, at 37.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Namibia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Throughout 2017 to 2020, South Africa played a dominant role in Namibia's cabbage imports in kind, consistently accounting for 99.2% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Namibia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Namibia's cabbage import volume reached 128.7 thousand US dollars, equivalent to a robust decline of 12.1% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 5.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.7%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 114.2 thousand US dollars, while the maximum was in 2019 at 146.5 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 15.8%, and the largest increase was in 2019, at 28.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Namibia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, South Africa was the key and almost sole market for Namibia's cabbage imports in value terms, accounting for 98.7% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Namibia in value, 2017-2020