Namibia Restricts Importation of Selected Crops for January 2026

Namibia Restricts Importation of Selected Crops for January 2026. The Namibian Agronomic Board has announced the closure of several crop imports for the period 1 to 31 January 2026, following the release of its latest border notice. The notice outlines measures aimed at managing the flow of agricultural produce entering the country during the month.

According to the board’s chief executive officer, Fidelis Mwazi, nine crops have been closed for importation for January. These include butternut, carrots, English cucumbers, pumpkins, jam tomatoes, round tomatoes, watermelon and sweet melons. The decision is intended to allow local producers to supply the domestic market where sufficient volumes are available.

The board noted that the restrictions form part of routine monthly assessments conducted to balance local production capacity with national demand. By limiting imports of selected crops, the board aims to support local farmers during peak supply periods.

For crops where local supply is not sufficient to meet demand, the board has allowed unrestricted imports for three products. These are onions, potatoes and cocktail tomatoes, which may be imported without limitations during the month.

In addition, the board has approved partial importation for a number of other crops to address shortfalls in local production. These include beetroot at 50 percent, cabbage, green peppers, gem squash, sweet potatoes and spinach at 30 percent, as well as lettuce and coloured peppers at 15 percent. These crops will be imported on a pro rata basis for January.

The measures apply within the Southern African Customs Union framework under the Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade. The board issues border notices monthly to guide traders, producers and importers. Compliance with the notice is required for all agricultural trade activities during the January period nationwide across Namibia. Traders are expected to plan sourcing accordingly, as outlined in the official notice.