Namibia set to harvest locally grown bananas reducing dependence on imports

NAMIBIA – Namibia is preparing to harvest its first locally grown bananas between June and August, marking a major step toward reducing the country’s reliance on imports.

Currently, Namibia imports around 7,000 tonnes of bananas annually from South Africa.

Bananas are the second most consumed fruit in Namibia after apples, and the country has been working on increasing local production through trial projects.

This year’s anticipated harvest is expected to contribute to lowering import costs and strengthening the local agricultural sector.

Tangeni Hangula, fruit development officer at the Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB), highlighted the positive results from trials conducted in the Zambezi region. “We are looking at a winter harvest. We started planting 2,222 seedlings, and the results at the project trial sites look very good. I can confidently say that this year, Namibia will produce its own bananas,” Hangula said.

While expectations remain high, Hangula stressed the importance of continued research to develop a sustainable banana industry. Data collection remains crucial in assessing long-term feasibility and ensuring the project’s success.

In 2023, the NAB partnered with AvaGro, an agricultural solutions company, to advance banana production through research and implementation.

The project used tissue culture to develop seedlings, which were then tested in different regions with favorable climates and soil conditions.

Following the success of these trials, the project expanded to the Etunda Green Scheme Irrigation Project in Ruacana, where efforts are now being made to transition into large-scale commercial production.

While small-scale banana farming has existed in areas like Zambezi and Kavango for personal consumption, this initiative aims to establish a more structured industry.

Across Africa, banana production has been growing at an average rate of 3% annually, with Uganda leading in sub-Saharan Africa, followed by Rwanda, Ghana, Nigeria, and Cameroon.

However, banana farming faces risks from climate challenges and plant diseases, which require careful management.

Shifts in Namibia’s trade policy

This development follows recent discussions regarding Namibia’s restrictions on vegetable imports from South Africa. There are indications that the government may reconsider its long-standing ban, which was put in place to support domestic farmers.

Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist at Agbiz, spoke to Farmer’s Weekly about trade relations within the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), which includes Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho, and Eswatini.

“In the recent past, some trade friction in South Africa’s trade relations with the African continent has mainly been within the SACU region, a customs union that is a free-trade zone. From around 2021, Botswana and Namibia imposed bans on South African vegetable imports to support their domestic industries. These bans added uncertainty and weighed on business,” Sihlobo stated.

While Botswana lifted its restrictions in December 2024 following the election of President Duma Boko, Namibia has yet to make a similar decision.

The Namibian government has maintained that the ban is necessary to protect local farmers and ensure food security. However, some critics argue that the restrictions have disrupted trade stability within the region.

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