The trade gap widened significantly in September 2026 as high import costs outstripped outgoing shipments, according to the Namibia Statistics Agency’s latest international trade data released this week.
Total exports for the month recorded N$12.2 billion, while imports climbed to N$16.9 billion. The resulting trade deficit of N$4.7 billion marks a noticeable decline in the trade balance compared to the N$3.9 billion shortfall registered in August 2026, as well as the N$3.5 billion deficit recorded during the same period in 2025.
According to the NSA, China maintained its position as Namibia’s largest market for outgoing goods, while South Africa remained the primary source for inbound products.
The nation’s export basket was largely anchored by the extractive industry, with uranium, non-monetary gold, nickel ores and concentrates, and base metal ores dominating shipments. Fish stood as the only non-mineral product to reach the top five export categories during the month. Re-export activity showed robust growth, expanding by 19.4% from the previous month and surging 84.1% year-on-year.
Goods moving through re-export channels were led by nickel ores and concentrates, petroleum oils, sulphur and unroasted iron pyrites, base metal ores, and fertilizers.
On the receiving end, domestic demand drove heavy imports of petroleum oils, sulphur, nickel ores, mechanical handling equipment, and heavy civil engineering machinery.
Sector-specific figures revealed contrasting trends within the fast-moving consumer goods category. Namibia sustained a strong net-exporter position in food products, generating a trade surplus of N$428 million as outward shipments surpassed incoming goods.
Conversely, beverage trade yielded a N$306 million deficit, driven by sustained local demand for foreign beverage imports.
Highlighting bovine and bovine products as the commodity of the month, trade records showed Namibia maintaining a strong export footprint in the red meat sector.
The country exported bovine products worth N$323.3 million, bound primarily for the Netherlands, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.
On the import side, Namibia brought in bovine goods valued at N$6.5 million, mostly sourced from neighboring South Africa, Botswana, and Angola.
