Namibia has issued a specially controlled products list made up of 14 horticultural crops that will be subjected to an import ban from August 15 to the end of the month, all in a bid to prevent dumping of produce that is perceived to be of inferior quality.
According to the Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB), the ban will be implemented to show that local farmers have the capacity to produce enough for the country's needs during the month.
The list also includes five crops that can be imported into Namibia without restriction, namely gem squash, washed potato, watermelon, sweet melon and sweetcorn.
A 47% market-share promotion (MSP) applies for these imports.
Four other crops can be imported on a pro-rata basis, although it’s not clear which these are.
“Washed potato and sweetcorn can only be imported from August 1-15,” a notice issued by NAB chief executive, Fidelis Mwazi, said.
The notice added that “only 20% importation of all types and size of fresh, chilled, whole or cut English cucumber can be imported between August 1-15, while 20% importation of sweet potato will be allowed strictly in one to 2kg-size groups, fresh or chilled, whole or cut, except for orange sweet potatoes and exclusions.
“The NAB also allows 30% importation of all types and sizes of fresh, chilled, whole or cut green pepper, as well as 30% of all types and sizes of fresh, chilled, whole or cut green spinach.
“In line with the Agronomic Industry Act, and the Namibian Horticulture Market Share Promotion scheme, the importation of beetroot, butternut, cabbage, carrot and coloured peppers is banned. The border is also closed for the importation of onion, pumpkin, round tomato, jam tomato and iceberg lettuce.”
SOURCE: Fresh Plaza
