Potato News from Namibia

Potato farming in Namibia is an important occupation for the country’s food security and economic development.

Although efforts to promote the growing of potatoes in Namibia are intensifying, the production of this crop has not reached levels where imports can be reduced or stopped.

In Namibia, retailers and importing agents have spent NAD (Namibian Dollar) 120.1 million (USD 8.4 million) between 2019 and 2020 on importing washed potatoes to meet local demand.

Members of the Namibian Potato and Onion Producers Association (Popa) recently met at Tsumeb to elect a new board.

Potatoes and onions are commodities that are most frequently imported and consumed in Namibia.

A potato shortage in South Africa has led to potato prices in Namibia shooting up by 25 per cent over the last week. Another 25 per cent price hike is expected this week.Namibia imports more than 70 per cent of the potatoes consumed locally.Norbert Shi...

It might be news to some, but Namibia is able to grow about 30 percent of its potato requirement. Six years ago, Namibia used to produce only five percent of the potatoes consumed locally. About 70 percent of potatoes are still sourced and imported fr...