Sea transport most frequently used for exports: NSA

WINDHOEK, 22 MAR – Sea transportation was the most frequently used mode of transport for Namibia’s exports in the fourth quarter of 2017.
Exports via sea increased from N.dollars 6.4 million in the third quarter of 2017 to N.dollars 7.4 million in the fourth quarter, which runs from October to December.
The latest quarterly trade statistics bulletin released by the Namibia Statistics Agency last week indicated that exports via sea contributed 40,7 per cent to Namibia’s total exports.
Road transport was the mode of transport used least, with a share of 22,1 per cent of exports. Commodities imported into Namibia were transported by road.
Air transport was ranked the second highest used mode of transport in handling exports, amounting to N.dollars 6.8 million; followed by road transport recording N.dollars 4 million in the fourth quarter of 2017.
Meanwhile, fish exports played a vital role as a major source of revenue for the domestic economy during the fourth quarter of 2017.
Fish exports ranked fourth among the top five major exported commodities and was the only food item among minerals including diamonds and jewellery; ore and concentrates; and zinc, which were the highest exported commodities.
In the fourth quarter of 2017, fish exports stood at close to N.dollars 2 million, making up to 10,9 per cent of total exports.
However, close to N.dollars 1.8 million was registered in the same quarter in 2016.
“The high demand by the largest consumers of domestic fish – Spain and South Africa – contributed significantly to Namibia’s fish exports,” the bulletin stated.
Year-on-year exports to Spain and South Africa improved by 14 per cent and 95,4 per cent respectively.
The bulletin further explained that Namibia’s exports were mostly absorbed by African regional groupings and the European Union, with the Southern Africa Customs Union absorbing the largest share of 40 per cent.

NAMPA