Tomato market in Namibia

Earlier Report Observations

Namibia's tomato market volume fluctuated between 2018 and 2023, starting at 8 730 т in 2018 before declining to a low of 4 141 т in 2022. The sharp drop in 2022 was primarily due to a record increase in tomato exports to South Africa, which rose by 251.1% in July compared to the previous year, alongside import restrictions on South African agricultural products that limited supply. The market partially recovered to 5 449 т in 2023 as export volumes decreased.

Government initiatives such as the National Horticulture Development Initiative and the Market Share Promotion scheme supported local tomato production throughout the period. In 2022, the actual primary Market Share Promotion reached up to 53%, reflecting increased local procurement and sales, which helped sustain domestic output despite the export surge.

From 2022 onward, the market shifted towards value addition, with local entrepreneurs launching processed tomato products like sauce, spice, and dried tomatoes. The introduction of Namibian barcodes in 2023 strengthened consumer preference for locally made goods, and into 2024, efforts focused on disseminating cultivation knowledge to improve farming practices and production potential.

Production tomato in Namibia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of tomato, 2017-2020

World map of production of tomato, 2017-2020

Namibia's tomato production saw a two-year improvement before declining. In 2020, the country produced 8 786 tonnes of tomatoes, marking a slight year-on-year decrease of 2.6%. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 2.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.8%. The highest production volume was recorded in 2019 at 9 019 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 3.0%.

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

Exports tomato from Namibia

Exports in kind, t

The market showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2018 at 1 205 tonnes and peaked in 2017, with the peak being 5.6 times higher than the trough. In 2020, Namibia exported 3 796 tonnes of tomatoes, representing a sharp increase of 70.9% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 82.1%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 84.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa dominated Namibia's tomato exports in volume terms, accounting for 99.9% of total 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 market experienced noticeable fluctuations during this period. Export values hit their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with the peak being three times higher than the trough. In 2020, tomato shipments from Namibia abroad amounted to 1 601 thousand US dollars, which is 44.6% higher than the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 28.2%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 185.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the structure of tomato exports in value terms was overwhelmingly dominated by a single market: South Africa, which accounted for 99.9% of total 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 tomato to Namibia

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Namibia imported 1 093 tonnes of tomatoes, representing a 25.3% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 42.9%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 17.0%. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 38.6%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 24.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa accounted for nearly all of Namibia's tomato imports in volume terms, with a share of 99.1% 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

Cross-border tomato shipments to Namibia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Namibia imported approximately 978 thousand US dollars worth of tomatoes, reflecting a steep 32.0% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 42.4%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 16.8%. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 1 794 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 5.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Namibia's tomato imports in value terms were almost entirely tied to South Africa, which accounted for 99.5% 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