Background
The agriculture, forestry, and fishing sector continued to face challenges, especially from the pressure of market distortions resulting from the higher prices of general goods. The disruptions have exacerbated the vulnerability of the sector, especially in terms of input price volatility for agricultural, forestry, and fishing commodities. Furthermore, the price fluctuations have exposed the sector to value chain disruptions particularly influenced by high input costs.
Namibia’s export earnings from commodities of agriculture, forestry, and fishing sector amounted to N$4.4 billion for Q4 of 2022 whereas the import bill stood at N$1.2 billion. Although the fisheries products and agriculture commodities accounted for the highest foreign earnings with N$2.4 billion and N$1.6 billion, respectively for Q4 of 2022 the values declined relative to Q3 of 2022. Fisheries products earnings for Q3 of 2022 were N$ 2.7 billion while agriculture commodities were valued at N$ 606 million.
Analysis
Fisheries Products
During the period under review, hake was the top exported product valued at N$ 1.1 billion for 15 869 metric tons, followed by horse mackerel valued at N$ 849 million total horse mackerel exported weighted 30 984 metric tons. The main export market for hake was Spain accounting for 56.5%, while for horse mackerel was Zambia accounting for 50%.
Horse Mackerel topped the list of imports, with a value of N$57.8 million and a weight of 2 745 metric tons followed by Sardine with a bill of N$41.3 million for 2 035 metric tons, and Tilapia with a bill of N$22 million for 1 185 metric tons.
Agriculture Commodities
Namibia exported 63 275 tons of agricultural commodities valued at N$1.6 billion and imported 71 935 tons of commodities valued at N$ 700 million. The export of fresh grapes stood at 42 156 tons valued at N$1.1 billion and fresh watermelons were 1 464 tons valued at N$17.5 million. During the quarter under review, a total of 58 306 tons of horticultural products were exported when compared to 51 696 tons exported during the same quarter last year.
The total number of livestock marketed for Q4 of 2022 stood at 214 802 when compared to 176 820 recorded in the same period of 2021. This translated into an increase of 21%. During the quarter under review, there were no imports of both cattle and small stock (goats and sheep) as a result of an import restriction due to the foot and mouth disease.
Namibia exported 35 346 cattle on hoof, valued at N$276.3 million. This is an increase of 10% when compared to 32 129 cattle that were exported at a value of N$255.1 million in Q4 of 2021. The number of small stocks marketed (goats and sheep) during the period under review stood at 147 007 compared to 111 302 small stocks marketed in the corresponding quarter of 2021.
Figure 1: Agriculture, forestry, and fishing sector % share to GDP, (2021Q4 – 2022Q4)
Figure 2: Export of fish and crustaceans in (N$) million, (2021Q4 – 2022Q4)
