Tapioca and starch substitutes market in Namibia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the market for tapioca and starch substitutes in Namibia expanded steadily, with production rising from 437.5 t to 519.7 t and market volume growing from 486.9 t to 658.5 t. This growth was facilitated by a 2018 law promoting public-private partnerships to encourage agricultural processing, which supported domestic output. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 altered general market conditions, potentially affecting demand and supply chains. In 2021, the launch of the AGOA Utilization Strategy to boost agricultural exports to the United States reflected increased government focus on the agri-sector, which may have stimulated market activity.

After 2021, market growth moderated. Production peaked at 552.3 t in 2022 before edging down to 545.5 t in 2023, while market volume declined to 641.3 t in 2022 and 637.4 t in 2023. Imports, which had surged in 2021, fell in 2022 but recovered slightly in 2023. A 2023 import substitution program, which requires importers to source a designated share of horticultural products locally, likely influenced the composition of starch and tapioca imports. Regulatory bodies such as the Namibia Agronomic Board continued to uphold quality and safety standards throughout the period.

In 2024, imports reached 140.6 t, underscoring the market's ongoing reliance on foreign supply. Broader government policies encouraging agricultural processing and foreign investment, along with trade agreements granting preferential access to EU and U.S. markets, provided a supportive framework for the market's development.

Production tapioca and starch substitutes in Namibia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Namibia ranked 24th globally in terms of tapioca and starch substitutes production volume.

Top producers of tapioca and starch substitutes, 2017-2020

World map of production of tapioca and starch substitutes, 2017-2020

Tapioca and starch substitutes production in Namibia increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Namibia produced 476.3 tonnes, marking a 4.9% gain compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 19.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 437.5 tonnes, which represented the largest decline of 26.3% during this timeframe.

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

Exports tapioca and starch substitutes from Namibia

Exports in kind, t

In 2019, Namibia's tapioca and starch substitutes export volume reached 70.3 tonnes, representing a dramatic increase of 94 850.7% compared to the previous year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the principal buyers of Namibia's tapioca and starch substitutes were Botswana, South Africa, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Botswana accounted for 45.5% of exports in kind, South Africa for 27.3%, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo for 27.1%. Together, these three countries represented 99.9% of total exports in kind.

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

In 2019, Namibia's tapioca and starch substitutes exports reached 22.7 thousand US dollars, corresponding to a dramatic rise of 18 616.2% compared to 2018.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Africa remained the principal destinations for exports in value terms, jointly accounting for 89.7% of total flows. Other partners each held significantly 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 tapioca and starch substitutes to Namibia

Imports in kind, t

Namibia's tapioca and starch substitutes imports increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 93.1 tonnes, marking a steep advance of 28.8% compared with 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 31.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.9%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 49.5 tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 63.6%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a 46.0% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa and Thailand dominated the geographical structure of imports in kind of tapioca and starch substitutes to Namibia, jointly accounting for 99.9% 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

After a two-year reduction, Namibia's tapioca and starch substitutes imports increased in 2020, reaching 64.0 thousand US dollars, which constituted a rise of 21.3% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 44.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 17.7%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 52.8 thousand US dollars, which experienced the largest decline of 33.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, imports in value terms of tapioca and starch substitutes to Namibia were largely oriented towards South Africa and Thailand, whose combined share reached 99.9% 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