Namibia restricts SA imports

Namibian agricultural
regulators are introducing
even tougher restrictions
against fresh produce imports
from South Africa to ensure a
“secured local market”.
Managing director of
the agricultural business
development company
Agribusdev, Petrus
Uugwanga, said Namibia’s
Green Scheme agricultural
policy previously did not have
stringent enough regulations
to effectively protect local
fresh produce.
He welcomed the new
regulations which restrict
import quotas on fresh
produce and compel retailers
to purchase from local
producers rather than import
from other countries.
“Before the regulations,
tonnes of vegetables produced
locally under the Green
Scheme went to waste due
to lack of storage facilities
and a limited market. The
local market is now shielded
against competition from
cheap mass produced fruit
and vegetables from South
Africa,” said Uugwana.