AGRICULTURE & FOOD PROCESSING
The Namibian agricultural sector is at the centre of the country's economy, directly and indirectly impacting about 70% of the country's population. Namibia is a net exporter of high-value fruits such as grapes, dates and blueberries, livestock products such as beef, chevon and Mutton/Lamb and processed and unprocessed fish such as hake, horse mackerel, mackerel, kingklip, Orange Rafie, Tuna and Sardines. These products are exported to international markets such as the EU, Middle East, USA, China, SADC and others. These industries are very lucrative and expected to grow substantially in the near future, with an increased focus on value addition and Agro-processing. Namibia is renowned for having some of the best beef in the world. It became the first African country to export beef to China, the European Union, and the United States, marking a significant milestone in its agricultural industry.
Government initiatives such as the Green Schemes and The Market Share Promotion aim to improve irrigation farming. At the same time, investment opportunities exist in dairy production, poultry farming, pig farming, and aquaculture, which are part of the Namibian Blue Economy. The Namibia Blue Economy sector is crucial in driving sustainable development in Namibia. Globally, there are only four spots where marine life thrives, known as upwelling systems. These are the Peruvian Upwelling System (off Peru and Ecuador), the Benguela Upwelling System (off Namibia and Angola), the Canary Upwelling System (off Northwest Africa), and the California Upwelling System (off California, USA). Upwelling systems are characterised by the rise of cold, nutrient-rich waters from the deep ocean, which support high biological productivity. The Benguela Marine Ecosystem is one of the world's most productive coastal upwelling zones, providing Namibia with a unique global advantage.
Although Namibia is a net exporter of many products, its agricultural sector is still underdeveloped. The country still heavily relies on imports for horticultural produce, agronomic produce, processed foods, etc. In 2023 alone, Namibia imported horticultural produce, vegetables, agronomic produce, and processed foods valued at N$1 053 192 492, N$336 381 932.55, N$1 694 370 028, and N$315 233 397.91, respectively (NAB 2023).
The country’s high import levels present a significant opportunity to reduce imports and boost local agricultural production. With vast maritime resources, the country has the potential to expand its maritime sector. Moreover, the nation’s political stability and strong rule of law further enhance its attractiveness for investment.
