Namibia pours US$13.5M into citrus sector to cut imports and grow exports

NAMIBIA – Namibia plans to invest a total of US$13.5 million over the next five years to strengthen its citrus industry, aiming to reduce a nearly $3.2 million annual import bill and create jobs across the sector.

Citrus ranks as the third most consumed fruit in Namibia after apples and bananas, yet local farmers produce only a fraction of demand. The country imports 96 percent of its citrus fruit, costing the economy almost US$3.2 million each year.

Farmers have already imported more than 1.5 million young citrus trees at a cost exceeding US$7.3 million, with an expected harvest of 1,700 metric tons this season.

Dr. Fidelis Mwazi, Chief Executive of the Namibian Agronomic Board, outlined a clear path forward. “When we talk about the citrus industry, we are talking about potential, about jobs, about foreign exchange earnings, and most importantly, about transforming the sector to benefit our farmers and the national economy,” he said.

Under the Agronomic Board’s proposal, US$13.5 million will flow into nursery improvements, irrigation systems, quality control programs, and extension services for growers.

The Board recently updated its vision to regulate a “sustainable, agile, and innovative” horticulture sector. Dr. Mwazi stressed that local legislation and global norms like ISO certification must both guide the industry’s growth.

All commercial citrus falls under the Agronomic Industry Act’s controlled product category. Producers must follow the National Citrus Standard, introduced in 2022, which sets clear criteria for size, sugar content, and disease management.

Nurseries must register and operate to stringent nursery standards before selling planting material.

Regional focus and export ambitions

Most citrus orchards sit in the northern and central regions, where oranges and naartjies (tangerines) thrive. While production remains modest, Namibia already ships limited volumes to Angola and South Africa.

By boosting yields and improving fruit quality, the Board hopes local growers will gain a stronger foothold in these neighboring markets.

At a recent meeting held in Windhoek, key figures from the Citrus Growers Association, the Horticultural Producers Association, nurseries, traders, exporters, the Namibian Standards Institution, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fishing, and Land Reform outlined action steps.

Participants agreed on tighter inspection regimes, joint marketing campaigns, and expanded cold storage facilities.

Officials also discussed a pilot program to train 200 smallholder farmers in grafting techniques and postharvest handling. Early trials have shown a 15 percent increase in marketable yield and a drop in spoilage rates by nearly 25 percent.

With the new funding package approved, the Agronomic Board will begin disbursing grants and rolling out technical assistance by July.

Farmers and industry players say they feel optimistic that the plan will help Namibia cultivate more of its own fruit and build a citrus sector capable of competing regionally.

Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.