South Africa blocks Namibian fresh produce exports, thousands of jobs at risk

NAMIBIA – South Africa has blocked all fresh produce imports from Namibia, leaving thousands of workers without jobs and millions of dollars’ worth of crops at risk of destruction.

Albert van der Merwe, head of Sonop Farms in Noordoewer, said the shutdown has forced the company to dump more than 1,000 tonnes of tomatoes. 

“Since 18 September, we have not exported one kilogram of product,” he said. “And we had a really great tomato crop this year, but we’ve already had to dump over a thousand tonnes of it in a ditch.”

Sonop Farms, which also grows butternuts and table grapes, employs more than 1,000 workers. With exports halted, most of them have been sent home. Another 3,000 tonnes of tomatoes could soon be destroyed if the border remains closed.

The crisis began on 11 August, when a Sonop truck was stopped at the border and told that the farm had not complied with phytosanitary rules. Van der Merwe insists the issue was not related to pests or safety but to an administrative lapse by the Namibian Plant Protection Organisation.

Sonop Farms took the case to the Gauteng High Court and won temporary approval to resume exports. Their tomatoes quickly reached six provinces in South Africa, gaining a 12.6% share of the market. But on 18 September, authorities revoked the permit again. 

“We had an urgent appeal ready, but the judge ruled it was not urgent,” Van der Merwe explained.

That same day, South Africa’s ZZ2 and the Tomato Producers’ Organisation asked to join the case. The court, however, did not consider their request because of the ruling on urgency.

Wider fallout

The export ban now covers all Namibian fresh produce. With the table grape harvest due in a month, growers fear even greater losses. 

“We have no comments at this stage, we are waiting on South Africa to finalize the import permits for Namibian fruit and vegetables,” the Namibian Grape Growers’ Organisation said.

Industry voices point out that South African companies have invested heavily in Namibian table grapes. Many hope this will push both governments to find a quick solution. 

Some exporters also highlight Walvis Bay port as an alternative route to international markets if the standoff continues.

Trade tensions are not new. Namibia has often blocked South African vegetables such as onions, carrots and cucumbers to support local farmers. Many South African growers remain frustrated with these restrictions.

So far, neither South Africa’s Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development nor Namibia’s agriculture ministry has given a clear response.

For now, crops are rotting in Namibia’s fields, farmers cannot plan for the next season, and the livelihoods of thousands of workers remain in limbo.

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