Edible brassicas market in Namibia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the Namibian market for fresh edible brassicas maintained a steady volume near 6,700 tonnes per year. This equilibrium was largely driven by the Namibian Agronomic Board's persistent interventions under the National Horticulture Development Initiative. The Market Share Promotion scheme, which tied import permits to mandatory local sourcing thresholds, systematically encouraged traders to purchase domestically grown produce, supporting farm output while curbing import volumes.

Domestic production of brassicas expanded from 5,993 tonnes in 2018 to a peak of 6,431 tonnes in 2022. Promotional campaigns and quality improvement programs helped raise consumer awareness and demand for local vegetables. A sharp push for import substitution in 2022 contributed to a halving of vegetable imports, allowing local supply to capture a larger share of the market. However, the sector faced persistent constraints, including a lack of cold storage and processing infrastructure, which limited further growth.

Even with these efforts, local production satisfied only about 30% of the country's total horticultural demand by 2023, indicating significant room for expansion. The growing emphasis on agro-processing—such as for frozen vegetables and fruit juices—represented a strategic shift towards value addition within the domestic brassicas industry.

Production edible brassicas in Namibia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of edible brassicas, 2017-2020

World map of production of edible brassicas, 2017-2020

Namibia's production of edible brassicas grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 6 301 tonnes, marking a moderate increase of 3.7% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 5.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.7%. The smallest change occurred in 2018, when production remained essentially flat.

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

Exports edible brassicas from Namibia

Exports in kind, t

The export market for edible brassicas showed significant volatility during this period. In 2019, exports hit their lowest point at 0.0 tonnes, while in 2018 they peaked at 0.5 tonnes—an 18-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, Namibia exported 0.3 tonnes, representing a dramatic surge of 948.2% from the previous year. The sharpest decline was recorded in 2019, when exports fell by 94.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Angola, Panama, and Seychelles were the top destinations for Namibia's edible brassicas exports by volume. Angola accounted for 23.7% of exports, Panama for 17.9%, and Seychelles for 15.3%. Together, these three countries made up 56.8% 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

The value of edible brassicas exports displayed an unstable trend throughout the observed timeframe. In 2019, export value reached its lowest point at 0.1 thousand US dollars, while in 2018 it peaked at 0.7 thousand US dollars—a 9.4-fold difference. In 2020, exports amounted to 0.4 thousand US dollars, showing a substantial increase of 405.2% compared to 2019. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 89.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Angola, Panama, and Greece were the primary markets for Namibia's edible brassicas exports by value. Angola represented 46.4% of export value, Panama 10.1%, and Greece 9.2%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 65.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports edible brassicas to Namibia

Imports in kind, t

Namibia's imports of edible brassicas declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 425.0 tonnes, showing a sharp decrease of 27.7% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 36.5%, with an average annual decline of 14.0%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 754.5 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 12.8% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Namibia's imports of edible brassicas were heavily concentrated on South Africa, which supplied 99.6% of total import volume.

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

The value of Namibia's edible brassicas imports fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 571.3 thousand US dollars, representing a significant decline of 38.1% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value decreased by 34%, equating to an average annual rate of 12.9%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 954.6 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 10.3% that year.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, South Africa was overwhelmingly the main source for Namibia's edible brassicas imports by value, accounting for 99.5% of total import flows.

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

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