The Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB) has once again closed the border for the importation of 11 of the 20 special controlled crops from 1 to 30 June, as local producers continue to satisfy demand for these products in the country.
Last month, the board also closed the border for the importation of 11 crops.
According to a notice addressed to all horticultural traders in the country, issued by NAB chief executive officer (CEO) Fidelis Mwazi on 23 May, the measures are in line with the Agronomic Industry Act and the Namibian Horticulture Market Share Promotion (MSP) Scheme rules and regulations that seek to promote the growth of the horticultural sector in the country.
According to Mwazi, the MSP scheme is also aimed at providing a market for the nascent horticultural sector and protecting Namibian consumers from cheap imports that might result in a glut on the market.
Washed potatoes are among the four crops that are open for importation without restrictions except for the 47% MSP.
In fact, this year, washed potatoes have been open for importation since January.
Other crops on the open importation list are carrots, watermelon, sweet melon and spinach.
The importation of all types and size groups of butternut, cabbage, English cucumber and coloured, as well as green pepper is closed, except for the exclusions.
Also on the closed list are gem squash, onion, pumpkin, sweet potato, cocktail/cherry/mini plum tomato and round tomato.
However, Mwazi has allowed for importation of four crops on a pro rata basis where there are likely to be production shortfalls.
“The importation of all types and sizes of beetroot is set at 20% except for inclusions. This is open from 1 to 15 June only,” said Mwazi.
More stringent is the importation of all types and sizes of jam tomato, which the CEO put at 10% except for exclusions.
However, lettuce was put at 30% importation without restrictions except for exclusions, and sweetcorn can be imported at 40% except for exclusions.
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