Namibian grape exports exceed US$65M in Q42025, driving horticulture growth
Shimuafeni called for improvements in data systems to support better decision-making.
NAMIBIA – Namibia has exported grapes worth more than N$1.2 billion (approx. US$65 million) during the fourth quarter of 2025, bringing total horticulture export earnings to N$1.3 billion (US$70 million), according to the Namibia Statistics Agency.
Key destinations included the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Germany, underscoring Europe’s continued dominance as the primary market for Namibian fresh produce.
Alex Shimuafeni, NSA Statistician General, emphasized the sector’s broader economic role. “The agriculture, forestry and fishing sectors remain paramount as they play a critical role in food and nutrition security, employment creation and increasing income,” he said.
Despite higher horticulture production, export earnings from agronomy products declined sharply by 79.5% to just N$175,500 (US$9,500). “Export earnings were mostly from maize, which accounted for 99.9% of the total export earnings,” Shimuafeni said.
South Africa and Angola remained the main export markets for agronomic products, while imports of these goods decreased by 43.4% to N$488 million (US$26 million), with maize again accounting for the largest share.
The contrasting performance between the horticulture and agronomy sectors offers strategic lessons for investors. Horticulture, driven by high-value table grapes destined for premium European markets, demonstrates strong export potential and reliable revenue generation.
Agronomy, by contrast, is vulnerable to price and demand fluctuations, with minimal export earnings despite high production volumes. This disparity suggests that investors seeking exposure to Namibian agriculture should prioritize horticulture value chains, particularly grape production, cold storage, and export logistics.
Horticulture imports remained stable at N$327.1 million (US$18 million), with potatoes, apples, and bananas leading volumes. This steady import flow indicates consistent domestic demand for products not grown locally or in sufficient volume, presenting opportunities for regional suppliers within the Southern African Development Community to fill these gaps.
Additionally, Shimuafeni called for improvements in data systems to support better decision-making. “There is a need to manage and improve the availability, quality, and accessibility of data and statistics pertaining to this sector,” he said.
For regional investors, improved data transparency would enable more accurate forecasting of supply trends, price movements, and trade opportunities across Namibia’s agricultural sectors.
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