CHAMWE KAIRA
Namibia has signed a phytosanitary protocol with China that clears the way for the export of fresh table grapes to the Chinese market, marking a new step in agricultural trade between the two countries.
The protocol was signed between Namibia’s ministry of agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform and the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China.
The move comes as Namibia has continued to expand grape exports markets. Table grapes accounted for N$561.3 million in horticultural export earnings, making them by far Namibia’s largest horticultural export product during the first quarter of 2026, according to the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA), statistics.
Namibia exported grapes worth more than N$1.2 billion during the fourth quarter of 2025, according to figures by the NSA. Key markets included the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Germany.
According to the ministry, the agreement with China establishes the phytosanitary requirements governing exports of fresh Namibian table grapes to China and is aimed at ensuring compliance with Chinese laws, regulations and food safety standards.
Under the protocol, all fresh table grapes exported from Namibia must be free of quarantine pests identified as a concern by Chinese authorities and must not contain soil contamination.
The agreement sets out requirements covering orchard management, registration of orchards, packing houses and cold-treatment facilities, integrated pest management, packaging, traceability, and pre-export and entry inspections.
The agriculture ministry will be responsible for registering production and packing facilities and overseeing quality management systems, while China’s customs authorities will conduct compliance inspections on imported consignments.
The protocol also requires mandatory registration and approval of all relevant facilities, regular pest monitoring, compliance with international phytosanitary standards and
prescribed labelling requirements for export shipments.
The agreement takes effect immediately following its signing and will remain valid for three years. It provides for automatic renewal unless terminated and may be amended by mutual agreement between the two parties.
The ministry said the protocol is expected to strengthen bilateral agricultural trade and expand market opportunities for Namibia’s table grape industry while reinforcing cooperation between Namibia and China on phytosanitary compliance.
