According to a recently released report by the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA), Namibia's tomato exports to South Africa reached a record high in July. The report stated that, on average, per month, Namibia exported tomatoes worth R9.4 million to South Africa, but the figure shot up to more than R24 million in July.
According to Trading Economics, an economics data tracker, South Africa imports fresh and chilled tomatoes from Namibia. In 2020, that trade accounted for R44 million, an average of R3.66 million per month.
NSA chief executive officer Alex Shimuafeni said Botswana was Namibia's biggest export market, while South Africa was the biggest exporter into the country. But since the beginning of 2022, Namibia and Botswana have been on a drive to restrict agricultural imports from South Africa. They said they were protecting their local industries.
The restricted imports are tomatoes, carrots, beetroot, potatoes, turmeric, chili peppers, butternut, cabbage, lettuce, garlic, onions, and ginger, as well as watermelons, sweet peppers, and more.
[ R1 = €0.057 ]
Source: news24.com