Watermelons and melons market in Namibia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, the market volume for watermelons and melons in Namibia fluctuated, peaking at 3 670 t in 2021. Regulatory oversight by the Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB), which tracks production and import statistics, provided a framework for the sector. The Market Share Promotion (MSP) scheme, requiring importers to source a minimum percentage of local horticultural produce, helped sustain domestic output, though substantial export volumes ranging from 663 t to 1 914 t annually frequently limited domestic supply.

The MSP scheme, which reached a level of 47%, protected local producers by restricting imports when sufficient local supply was available. This contributed to stabilizing annual production around 4 150 t. However, significant exports, such as the 1 342 t shipped in 2022, drew from domestic output, leading to a lower market volume of 2 956 t that year. By 2023, the market volume showed signs of stabilization at 2 890 t, supported by these regulatory measures.

In 2024, imports of watermelons and melons were 112 t while exports reached 917 t, continuing the net export trend. NAB strengthened its regulatory oversight with a new General Manager appointment and maintained the MSP scheme with a target of 60% local procurement to further stimulate production. Initiatives to diversify fruit output, like a pilot banana project launched in the Zambezi region, and efforts to promote local fresh produce in retail stores nationwide were also underway.

Production watermelons and melons in Namibia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of watermelons and melons, 2017-2020

World map of production of watermelons and melons, 2017-2020

Namibia's production of watermelons and melons has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 4 105 tons, marking a slight decrease of 1.8% compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production fell by 3.8%, which translates to an average annual decline of 1.3%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 4 288 tons. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 2.5%, while the largest increase was seen in 2018 at 0.5%.

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

Exports watermelons and melons from Namibia

Exports in kind, t

Following two years of growth, Namibia's exports of watermelons and melons experienced a decline. In 2020, exports totaled 1 349 tons, reflecting a sharp drop of 29.5% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports actually increased by 49.5%, averaging an annual growth rate of 14.3%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 914 tons, which also saw the largest increase of 55.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa was the nearly exclusive destination for Namibia's watermelon and melon exports, accounting for 100.0% of the total volume shipped.

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 2020, Namibia's export value for watermelons and melons was 631 thousand US dollars, showing a contraction of 37.1% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports in value terms decreased by 36.8%, with an average annual decline of 14.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 003 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 1.1%.

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

During the 2017–2020 period, South Africa was the almost sole buyer of watermelons and melons from Namibia in value terms, representing 100.0% of total exports.

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

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

Imports watermelons and melons to Namibia

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Namibia's imports of watermelons and melons declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 187 tons, representing a sharp decrease of 65.3% from the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports fell by 47.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -19.5%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 537 tons, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 39.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa dominated Namibia's watermelon and melon imports in volume, accounting for 98.9% 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

Namibia's import value for watermelons and melons declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 156 thousand US dollars, marking a decrease of 60.1% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports in value terms fell by 53%, with an average annual decline of 22.2%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 414 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 25.1%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, South Africa played a dominant role in Namibia's watermelon and melon imports in value terms, consistently accounting for 98.7% 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