Due to a great grape season -that has far exceeded expectations- Namibian grapes are expected to fetch about N$1 billion (€55 mln) in export revenue. The 2020/21 Namibian table grape season started some ten days later than normal and it ended on a high note. According to vice chairman of the Namibian Grape Growers Association, Kobus Bothma, it ended about 12% above initial estimates.
The season estimate for Namibia was 7,6 million x 4,5kg boxes (34,200 tonnes), but instead it delivered 8,6 million x 4,5kg boxes (38,700 tonnes). For the 2019/20 season, Namibia shipped out 33,000 tonnes of table grapes.
Namibia's grape season is from November to January but cooler conditions in August and September delayed the season. According to Bothma, this was a blessing in disguise: “The delay in starting, coupled with ideal weather conditions during the packing period, have in fact produced grapes of excellent quality.”
As explained on namibian.com.na¸ Namibia's main export destinations are Europe, the United Kingdom, the Middle East, Africa and North America. The local market is relatively small and only 1% of the table grapes are consumed in Namibia.
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