Namibian grapes

Namibian table grape exports hit N$800m in 2016, according to figures from the country's Agro-Marketing and Trade Agency (Amta), with the country shipping some 5.1m cartons.

Amta's Fidelis Mwazi told The Namibian that exports had suffered from a poor harvest last year, noting that, of the product that did go for export, some 85 per cent was sent to Europe with 15 per cent going to Asia, Africa and other markets.

While the grapes are exported via Rotterdam to Europe, the industry experimented with the idea of exporting via Lüderitz last year, with Mwazi telling the publication that it was still being investigated as a potential permanent loading point.

Last season's pilot project at Lüderitz saw 34 containers exported, carried out by Amta, Namport and farmers.