Fishing boosts Namibia's trade surplus
Namibia's fishing industry has demonstrated resilience, with fish exports contributing N$1.2 billion to the country's trade surplus between October 2024 and October 2025, according to the latest International Merchandise Trade Statistics Bulletin (IMTSB).
Fish products accounted for 94.3% of Namibia's total food exports during this period. Namibia recorded a trade surplus of N$89 million on food items, the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) said following the publication of the IMTSB.
"During October 2025, the country recorded a trade surplus on food items worth N$89 million. The surplus on food items was mainly attributed to fish exports, which stood at N$1.2 billion."
Positive trend maintained
Over the period spanning October 2024 to October 2025, Namibia's overall trade on food items averaged a trade surplus amounting to N$287 million. Cumulatively, Namibia's total food exports amounted to N$22.7 billion whilst food imports amounted to N$19 billion, registering a trade surplus on food items totalling N$3.73 billion.
"The highest trade surplus was N$792 million in July 2025, followed by December 2024 (N$621 million) and June 2025 (N$618 million)," the NSA said. Deficits were only recorded in two months over this period. "These were in October 2024 (N$212 million) and November 2024 (N$323 million)."
October 2025 figures show that fish and other aquatic invertebrates represented the largest share of the food export basket at 69%, followed by meat and edible meat offal at 16.6%. The third commodity in the list was preparations of meat, fish and other aquatic invertebrates at 3.2%. The top five food exports collectively accounted for 94.3% of the total exports.
Import composition and patterns
Namibia's food imports for October 2025 stood at N$1.73 billion. Cumulatively over the reporting period, Namibia's food imports totalled N$19 billion.
Cereals dominated imports at 17.1%, whilst sugar and sugar confectionery and miscellaneous edible preparations accounted for 11.8% and 8.4%, respectively. The top five imported food items accounted for 52.2% of the basket during the month under review.
Between October 2024 and October 2025, beverage imports averaged N$355 million, with October 2025 recording a peak of N$677 million. During the same period, exports averaged N$94 million, with October 2024 noting the largest value at N$143 million, while the lowest value of N$51 million was recorded in September 2025.
Fish products accounted for 94.3% of Namibia's total food exports during this period. Namibia recorded a trade surplus of N$89 million on food items, the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) said following the publication of the IMTSB.
"During October 2025, the country recorded a trade surplus on food items worth N$89 million. The surplus on food items was mainly attributed to fish exports, which stood at N$1.2 billion."
Positive trend maintained
Over the period spanning October 2024 to October 2025, Namibia's overall trade on food items averaged a trade surplus amounting to N$287 million. Cumulatively, Namibia's total food exports amounted to N$22.7 billion whilst food imports amounted to N$19 billion, registering a trade surplus on food items totalling N$3.73 billion.
"The highest trade surplus was N$792 million in July 2025, followed by December 2024 (N$621 million) and June 2025 (N$618 million)," the NSA said. Deficits were only recorded in two months over this period. "These were in October 2024 (N$212 million) and November 2024 (N$323 million)."
October 2025 figures show that fish and other aquatic invertebrates represented the largest share of the food export basket at 69%, followed by meat and edible meat offal at 16.6%. The third commodity in the list was preparations of meat, fish and other aquatic invertebrates at 3.2%. The top five food exports collectively accounted for 94.3% of the total exports.
Import composition and patterns
Namibia's food imports for October 2025 stood at N$1.73 billion. Cumulatively over the reporting period, Namibia's food imports totalled N$19 billion.
Cereals dominated imports at 17.1%, whilst sugar and sugar confectionery and miscellaneous edible preparations accounted for 11.8% and 8.4%, respectively. The top five imported food items accounted for 52.2% of the basket during the month under review.
Between October 2024 and October 2025, beverage imports averaged N$355 million, with October 2025 recording a peak of N$677 million. During the same period, exports averaged N$94 million, with October 2024 noting the largest value at N$143 million, while the lowest value of N$51 million was recorded in September 2025.
