Carrots and turnips market in Namibia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Namibian carrots and turnips market volume decreased from 3 589 t to 3 221 t. This decline was primarily driven by import restrictions enforced by the Namibian Agronomic Board to protect local farmers from dumping, which reduced imports from 781 t in 2018 to 453 t in 2020. In 2020, unfavorable weather conditions and inadequate storage and transportation infrastructure further constrained local production growth, contributing to market stabilization.

Starting in 2021, the market expanded significantly, reaching 4 269 t by 2023. This growth was fueled by a surge in imports, which rose from 453 t in 2020 to 1 508 t in 2023. The increase in demand was partly due to the emergence of agro-processing opportunities for carrots, such as chilled, cut, and diced products, juices, and purees, diversifying product segments and boosting consumption. Despite ongoing import controls, regional trade with South Africa remained a key supply source, accommodating the higher import volumes.

Throughout the period, regulatory measures including import bans and quotas continued to shape the market, while the Namibian Standards Institution developed official standards to enhance food safety and quality. The market's dependence on South African imports persisted, with trade dynamics influencing prices and availability, as seen in 2024 with rising South African export prices to Namibia.

Production carrots and turnips in Namibia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of carrots and turnips, 2017-2020

World map of production of carrots and turnips, 2017-2020

Namibia's production of carrots and turnips showed notable fluctuations in recent years. In 2019, output reached its lowest point at 2 717 tonnes, marking a 3.7% decline from the previous year. Production then rebounded in 2020 to 2 768 tonnes, representing a modest 1.9% increase over 2019. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 2 822 tonnes, which was 3.3% above the previous year's output.

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

Exports carrots and turnips from Namibia

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes of carrots and turnips from Namibia experienced significant volatility during this period. In 2020, exports bottomed out at just 0.3 tonnes, representing a dramatic 98.7% decrease from the previous year. This contrasted sharply with the peak year of 2019, when exports reached 26 tonnes. The most substantial growth occurred in 2018, with exports surging by 720.3% compared to the previous year, creating a remarkable 78-fold difference between the highest and lowest export volumes.

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

From 2017 through 2020, Namibia's carrot and turnip exports were overwhelmingly concentrated on a single market. Angola accounted for 93.2% of all exports in volume terms, making it the nearly exclusive destination for these products.

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

The value of carrot and turnip exports from Namibia showed considerable volatility during these years. In 2020, export value reached its lowest point at 0.3 thousand US dollars, representing a substantial 93.0% decrease from the previous year. The peak occurred in 2018 at 9.3 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 980.9%. This created a striking 29-fold difference between the highest and lowest export values during the period.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Namibia's carrot and turnip exports in value terms were highly concentrated, with Angola accounting for 93.0% of total export value.

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

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

Imports carrots and turnips to Namibia

Imports in kind, t

Namibia's imports of carrots and turnips continued their downward trend for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 453 tonnes, representing a 16.9% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, imports declined by 72.7% overall, equivalent to an average annual decrease of 35.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Namibia's carrot and turnip imports in volume terms were dominated by a single source. South Africa supplied 99.8% of all imports during this period.

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

Namibia's spending on carrot and turnip imports declined for the third straight year. In 2020, import value stood at 258.6 thousand US dollars, representing an 11.7% decrease from 2019. Over the four-year period from 2017 to 2020, import value fell by 64%, with an average annual decline of 28.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Namibia's dependence on South Africa for carrot and turnip imports was pronounced, with this single market accounting for 99.7% of total import value.

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

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