Dried shelled legumes market in Namibia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for dried shelled legumes in Namibia began the period with a volume of 48 246 t in 2018, supported by the National Horticulture Development Initiative aimed at boosting local horticultural production. The following year saw a contraction to 45 836 t, while in 2020 the market recovered to 47 657 t, a growth coinciding with the appointment of a new Agronomy Development Manager focused on increasing food self-sufficiency through sustainable agricultural interventions.

From 2021 to 2023, market volume fluctuated within a narrow band between 46 425 t and 46 859 t. During these years, the regulatory framework for horticulture was strengthened through key appointments at the Namibian Agronomic Board and the continued operation of the Market Share Promotion scheme designed to stimulate local production of controlled fresh produce. This sustained focus on local supply helped maintain market stability despite underlying import dependency.

In 2024, the agricultural sector faced significant external pressures, including severe drought and El Niño-induced dry spells that negatively affected crop production. Concurrently, the Namibia Agricultural Mechanization and Seed Improvement Project exceeded its certified seed production target, introducing a potential counterweight for future output. These contrasting factors of climatic challenges and modernization efforts shaped the sector's environment, though full market data for legumes in 2024 is not available.

Production dried shelled legumes in Namibia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of dried shelled legumes, 2017-2020

World map of production of dried shelled legumes, 2017-2020

In 2019, Namibia produced 45 039 tonnes of dried shelled legumes, which was the lowest output during the 2017-2020 period. Production then increased by 3.9% in 2018 to reach 46 785 tonnes, marking the highest level in this timeframe. The following year saw a decline of 3.7% to 45 039 tonnes, before a modest recovery of 2.9% in 2020 brought production to 46 364 tonnes. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 2.9%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 1.0%.

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

Exports dried shelled legumes from Namibia

Exports in kind, t

The export market for dried shelled legumes exhibited significant volatility between 2017 and 2020. In 2018, exports hit their lowest point at just 0.2 tonnes, but then surged dramatically by 487.9% in 2019 to reach 1 tonne, which was the peak for the period. This represented a 5.9-fold difference between the high and low points. In 2020, exports remained at 1 tonne, but this marked a sharp decline of 49.8% compared to the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Angola, and South Africa were consistently the top destinations for Namibia's dried shelled legume exports in volume terms. Germany accounted for 44.4% of exports, Angola for 30.8%, and South Africa for 8.5%. Together, these three countries represented 83.7% of total export flows during this period.

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

Export values showed extreme fluctuations, highlighting a volatile market environment. In 2018, exports reached their lowest point at 0.1 thousand US dollars, but then skyrocketed by 5,923.8% in 2019 to 5 thousand US dollars, the highest level recorded. This created a 60-fold difference between the peak and trough. However, in 2020, exports contracted by 35.3% to 3 thousand US dollars. The most significant decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 90.6%.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, Germany and Angola dominated Namibia's dried shelled legume exports in value terms, collectively accounting for 86.9% of total flows. Other trading partners each held substantially smaller shares.

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

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

Imports dried shelled legumes to Namibia

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes for dried shelled legumes into Namibia were highly variable from 2017 to 2020. In 2017, imports bottomed out, then surged by 149.5% in 2018 to reach 1 461 tonnes, the highest level during this period. This represented a 2.5-fold increase from the low point. Imports then fell by 45.4% in 2019 before rebounding sharply by 62.1% in 2020 to 1 293 tonnes.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, South Africa was the primary source of dried shelled legume imports into Namibia, accounting for 84.7% of total import volumes. Other origins played a much less significant role in the import structure.

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

Imports of dried shelled legumes into Namibia grew for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 1 233 thousand US dollars, which represented a sharp increase of 32.3% compared to 2019. Over the full 2017-2020 period, imports rose by 36.4%, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 10.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 799 thousand US dollars, following a decline of 11.6% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Namibia's import structure in value terms was heavily concentrated on South Africa, which accounted for 91.5% of total import flows, indicating a strong reliance on this single source.

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

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