Namibia’s marine exports drive US$198M in earnings amid mixed agricultural performance

NAMIBIA – Namibia earned US$198 million from fish and marine product exports in the third quarter of 2024, a 6.6% increase from US$187 million during the same period in 2023, according to data from the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA).

In contrast, imports of fish products fell sharply, amounting to US$5.14 million, a 28.3% drop from US$7.18 million in the third quarter of 2023. 

However, fish landings decreased to 76,347 tonnes, 2.8% lower than the 78,509 tonnes reported during the same period last year.

The NSA highlighted hake as the most landed species, totaling 41,678 tonnes, followed by horse mackerel at 31,366 tonnes and monkfish at 2,333 tonnes. 

Spain emerged as the largest export market, accounting for 40% of Namibia’s marine exports, primarily frozen hake fillets. 

Zambia and South Africa followed with shares of 18.7% and 7.8%, importing horse mackerel and frozen hake fillets, respectively.

Namibia’s imports of marine products during the quarter were dominated by hake, with South Africa supplying 57.1%. The United States and Argentina were also significant sources, contributing 14.7% (mostly sole) and 10.7% (mainly hake), respectively.

This comes as the livestock markets expand.

Livestock sales in Namibia increased by 14.9% during the third quarter of 2024, with 106,731 animals sold compared to 92,881 in the same period last year. 

This included 76,953 cattle, 18,206 goats, and 11,572 sheep.

Prices for goats and sheep rose to US$1.98 and US$1.68 per kilogram, showing gains of 20.4% and 1.4%, respectively. 

Cattle prices, however, experienced a slight decline of 0.4%, averaging US$1.51 per kilogram.

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