Mahangu to yield surplus

LOCAL mahangu production is expected to yield a surplus of 23 metric tonnes this year while white maize will fall short of meeting local demand for the next six months (including May), by 5 961 metric tonnes.

Projections by the Namibian Agronomic Board for six months including May show that fresh fruits and vegetables will have a deficit of 26 042 metric tonnes. The country will either rely on the winter crop or turn to South Africa to fill the gap. According to the projection on mahangu, the demand from the formal market from May to October is 1 800MT, while local producers are expected to deliver 1 823 MT to processors, resulting in a surplus.

“It is worth noting that due to good rains received in most pearl millet production zones, a good harvest is expected, which will ensure the much-needed food relief at the household level,” the board indicated.

The board also reported that in case of demand surpassing supply, the shortages could be met with imports from India.

NAB projected that the local demand for white maize will hover around 70 000 MT by October 2020.

Local producers are expected to deliver 64 039 MT to processors and silos which is 5 961 metric tonnes lower than what the market demands. The board looks to South Africa for the shortfall. The board says the country is struggling in the horticulture (fresh fruits and vegetables) sector as half of the country's needs for the next five months will be imported.

Local producers are expected to deliver only 22 042 metric tonnes of fruit and vegetables against a local demand of 48 580 metric tonnes over the next six months. Imports of mainly fruits from South Africa will meet the shortfall, says the board.

The demand for wheat for the next six months is projected at 59 861 tonnes.

“However, our local producers are only expected to produce and market 265 metric tonnes to processors during this period,” says the board.

The country will have to import a total of 59 596 tonnes from Russia, Poland, and South Africa.

NAB explained that to curb illegal importation of controlled agronomic and horticultural products, regulatory compliance is enforced through inspections at all ports of entry and at first offloading points.