Table grapes generate N$850 million revenue ELLANIE SMITWINDHOEK
The Namibian table grape industry employs more than 10 000 people and has generated more than N$850 million in revenue during the 2020/2021 season.
Over the years the Namibian table grapes industry has grown from strength to strength, establishing itself as the fastest-growing and most lucrative commodity within the horticulture sector, says the Namibian Agriculture Board (NAB).
It says the industry now plays a major role in job creation, currently employing more than 10 215 Namibians, of whom 11% are permanent workers and 89% temporary workers.
According to the NAB, during the 2020/2021 harvesting season the sector recorded the highest ever table grape production.
This saw farmers exporting 39 233 tonnes of table grapes, generating over N$858 million in revenue, representing an increase of 14% in volumes compared to the 2019 season.
NAB says that this translates into 8.7 million cartons of Namibian table grapes that were exported during the 2020 season.
Of this, 56% was exported to the European Union, 29% to the United Kingdom, 6% to the rest of Africa and 6% to Asia, while the remaining 4% was exported to the USA and Norway.
There are 13 registered grape producers in Namibia, farming on 2 217.46 hectares of land under irrigation.
They are mainly situated in the south of Namibia at Aussenkehr, Komsberg, Naute Dam and Noordoewer.
The main varieties produced in Namibia are white (48%), red (43%) and black (9%) seedless grapes.
Traditionally Namibia’s grape harvest runs from late October to mid-January.
However, with the introduction of new varieties producers are finding new ways of extending production harvest into the winter months.