Namibia has reached a bilateral agreement with China to export small livestock products like sheep and goats, and is also working on finalizing a deal for high-value fruits such as grapes, dates, blueberries, according to a government official. During the 25th Bank of Namibia symposium in Windhoek, Minister of Agriculture Water and Land Reform Calle Schlettwein underscored the significance of these agreements for enhancing Namibia’s access to lucrative markets and bolstering its agricultural sector.
“Market access is crucial for agricultural products. A unique advantage for Namibia’s agriculture is its access to top-paying regional and global markets, which is supported by investments in essential infrastructure and adherence to sanitary and phytosanitary standards,” he stated.
Schlettwein stressed the need to integrate Namibia’s agricultural sector into global markets to improve livelihoods and called for greater recognition of agriculture as a national priority, advocating for intentional resource allocation throughout the value chain. He highlighted the importance of investments in water resource development, distribution infrastructure, and sanitation to ensure a secure, reliable, and affordable water supply.
Since 2019, Namibia has been exporting beef to China from two authorized plants for frozen and chilled products, in addition to selling to key markets including the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Norway.