CHAMWE KAIRA
Namibia’s trade deficit widened sharply to N$5.5 billion in June as imports reached a record N$18.3 billion, outpacing exports of N$12.9 billion, according to the latest Namibia International Merchandise Trade Statistics bulletin.
The June deficit represents a deterioration from the N$3.2 billion trade gap recorded in May 2026 and contrasts with the N$669 million trade surplus recorded in June 2025.
The bulletin attributed the trade balance to stronger import growth, with petroleum oils, sulphur and unroasted iron pyrites, nickel ores and concentrates, commercial motor vehicles and fertilizers accounting for the country’s main imports during the month.
Exports continued to be dominated by mining products, including uranium, non-monetary gold, diamonds and nickel ores and concentrates. Fish was the only non-mineral product among the top five export commodities.
The report noted that re-exports increased by 9.9% compared with May and were 26.4% higher than a year earlier. The main re-exported products included nickel ores and concentrates, petroleum oils, ores and concentrates of base metals, sulphur and unroasted iron pyrites, and rubber tyres.
China remained Namibia’s largest export destination during June, while South Africa continued to be the country’s leading source of imports.
The bulletin also showed that Namibia recorded a food trade surplus of N$743 million, indicating that food exports exceeded imports during the month.
In contrast, the country remained a net importer of beverages, recording a trade deficit of N$258 million.
As part of its monthly commodity analysis, the report highlighted office wooden furniture. Namibia re-exported office wooden furniture worth N$9 386 to Angola and South Africa, while imports of the product totalled N$3.8 million, with most sourced from South Africa.
Trade with African countries remained significant during the month. Namibia exported goods worth N$5.7 billion to the continent while importing N$7.1 billion, resulting in an intra-African trade deficit of N$1.5 billion. Total trade with Africa reached N$12.8 billion.
According to the bulletin, intra-African exports accounted for 44.1% of Namibia’s total exports, while imports from African countries represented 38.9% of total imports.
The report said the figures demonstrate the importance of regional markets in reducing external trade dependence and strengthening regional economic integration.
Within Africa, Namibia’s main export markets were South Africa, Zambia, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Nigeria.
The country’s leading African import sources were South Africa, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Morocco and Zimbabwe.
