Potatoes account for nearly 39% of horticultural fresh produce consumption

As the most consumed horticultural crop in the country, potatoes account for nearly 39% of total horticultural fresh produce consumption. Despite this high demand, Namibia continues to rely heavily on imports to meet local needs.

The Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB), in its latest Seasonal Harvest Report, said that although some local producers grow potatoes within Namibia, domestic production remains insufficient to meet demand.

From April 2024 to March 2025, Namibia produced approximately 8 534 tonnes of potatoes for the formal market.

In comparison, the country imported 22 751 tonnes of fresh potatoes during the same period, underscoring a significant dependency on external sources, NAB said.

It said that informal markets also play a considerable role, with estimates indicating that about 41% of local production is sold outside formal channels.

Including both formal and informal markets, Namibia’s total potato consumption exceeds 40 000 tonnes annually.

According to NAB, Namibia imports potatoes every month, primarily from South Africa, due to persistent local supply gaps.

“South Africa’s mature potato sector, supported by efficient seed systems and high-yield production practices, that averages 37 tonnes per hectare, positions it as the dominant supplier in the SADC region.”

Namibia also imports frozen potatoes, about 3 754 tonnes annually on average, mostly for the fast-food industry, and seed potatoes, with 2 173 tonnes imported in 2020 alone, valued at over N$20 million.

To cushion domestic producers against import competition, the NAB implements the Market Share Promotion (MSP) scheme.

The NAB said that under this policy, fresh produce traders are required to source a minimum percentage of products locally—currently set at 47%.

Additionally, when local production is deemed sufficient, NAB temporarily closes borders to potato imports to safeguard market access for Namibian farmers.

It said several bottlenecks hinder the growth of Namibia’s potato industry.

This includes the lack of local seed potato production.

The NAB said that Namibia currently does not produce seed potatoes, relying instead on imports that require advance ordering and bulk purchases.

This delays planting and increases input costs.

Another challenge is post-harvest constraints

“Only a few local producers wash and package their potatoes, which is a basic requirement for accessing formal retail markets.”

This limits their ability to supply high-end retail outlets.

Furthermore, limited value addition also poses a challenge.

“There is currently no known domestic production of processed or frozen potatoes, leading to further reliance on imports for these products.”

The NAB said that despite the challenges, the potato industry holds vast potential.

Strategic investments in the following areas, such as local seed production, washing and packaging infrastructure, and supporting producers with basic value addition infrastructure, will improve market competitiveness.

It added that investment in agro-processing and capacity building could unlock potential in the sector.

The NAB said that Namibia’s potato industry is at a critical juncture.

“With strong consumer demand, ongoing policy support, and targeted investments in infrastructure and inputs, the country can reduce its import dependency and build a more resilient and competitive sector.”

The NAB remains committed to supporting both emerging and commercial producers as we work towards a more self-sufficient horticulture industry