Dates were the main export earnings of horticultural products at N$25.8 million, followed by tomatoes and vegetable seeds reporting N$3.3 million and N$1.4 million, respectively during the second quarter of this year.
In terms of imports, potatoes dominated the horticultural products, claiming a bill of N$17.2 million during the second quarter. Apples and onions followed in second and third positions registering import bills of N$8.7 million and N$7 million, respectively, the Namibia Statistics Agency.
Total agronomy production declined by 60.1 percent from 55 036 tons recorded in the second quarter of 2022 to 21 953 tons registered in the second quarter of this year. The decrease was reflected in all crops (white maize, wheat, and millet) recording declines of 60.4 percent, 54.5 percent, and 11.9 percent, respectively.
Similar to the distribution of the second quarter of 2022, white maize dominated the production of controlled grains (21 648 tons), followed by millet (295 tons). Wheat recorded the lowest production of 10 tons.
The import of agronomy products was N$299 million from N$471.3 million registered in the corresponding quarter of 2022.
During the quarter under review, import bill of cereal grains was dominated by wheat (N$171.9 million), followed by maize (N$121.2 million), and rice (N$3.3 million).
Import for cereal grains were mainly sourced from South Africa (N$155 million) and Poland (N$142 million), representing shares of 51.8 percent and 47.5 percent, respectively.
During the second quarter, the production of locally purchased controlled fresh produce stood at 4 377 tons down from 5 055 tons that was registered in the parallel quarter of 2022.
Potatoes dominated the local purchase recording 1 318 tons, followed by onions in second position with purchases amounting to 1 216 tons. Tomatoes, butternuts and cabbage for the quarter under review featured among the top five locally purchased domestic produce recording 467 tons, 446 tons, and 357 tons, respectively.
