Namibia produced 94,262 tonnes of grain in 2025, comprising 69,541 tonnes of white maize, 21,631 tonnes of wheat, and 3,090 tonnes of pearl millet in formal market channels, according to the Namibia Agronomic Board’s annual grain trade and production statistics
The country imported 347,620 tonnes of grain during the same period, consisting of 155,218 tonnes of white maize, 184,845 tonnes of wheat, and 7,557 tonnes of pearl millet. Local white maize production accounted for 31% of total white maize supply, while local wheat represented 10%.
Monthly Production and Import Patterns
White maize production showed a distinct seasonal pattern. July recorded the highest local production at 24,377 tonnes, follo
wed by June at 20,717 tonnes and May at 12,924 tonnes. The final quarter showed minimal local production, with November at 88 tonnes and December at 79 tonnes.
Import patterns inversely reflected local production. March imports peaked at 31,373 tonnes when local production remained minimal. July showed zero imports, coinciding with peak local harvest.
Wheat production concentrated heavily in the year's final two months. November recorded 10,597 tonnes and December produced 10,460 tonnes, together accounting for nearly all annual local wheat output. The remaining months showed minimal or no local wheat production.
Wheat imports displayed greater monthly variation. September recorded the highest import volume at 47,340 tonnes, while August showed the lowest at 2 tonnes.
Pearl millet local production reached 1,318 tonnes in September, 691 tonnes in August, and 373 tonnes in July.
Pearl millet imports peaked in June at 1,789 tonnes, followed by May at 1,778 tonnes and April at 1,569 tonnes. March recorded 496 tonnes, February showed 772 tonnes, January recorded 615 tonnes, and July showed 538 tonnes.
White maize imports originated from South Africa and the United States. Wheat imports came from Latvia and South Africa. Pearl millet imports originated from Angola, India, and South Africa.
Milling Operations
Local mills processed 332,292 tonnes of grain in 2025. White maize milling totaled 178,746 tonnes, wheat processing reached 150,165 tonnes, and pearl millet milling stood at 3,382 tonnes.
Regional Production Distribution
The Karst region produced 34,732 tonnes of white maize, the highest among all regions. The Central region produced 15,428 tonnes, while Kavango recorded 9,952 tonnes. The Zambezi region produced 3,969 tonnes, North Central recorded 3,484 tonnes, and South produced 904 tonnes.
For wheat production, Karst produced 443 tonnes, Kavango recorded 68 tonnes, and Central showed 62 tonnes. Other regions showed no wheat production.
Ohangwena produced 149 tonnes of pearl millet, the highest among all regions. Oshikoto produced 10 tonnes, Oshana recorded 7 tonnes, and Omusati showed 5 tonnes.
Grain Prices in 2025
White maize prices showed moderate fluctuations throughout 2025, influenced by seasonal supply and international markets. The SAFEX weighted average price ranged from N$6,664 per ton (12 -25 June) to a peak of N$7,480 per ton (29 May -11 June), generally stabilizing between N$6,800 and N$7,200 during the main harvest period.
The staggered floor price followed a similar trend, starting at N$6,708 in early May, dipping to N$5,997 in early September, and averaging around N$6,800 to 7,000.
Zambezi pool prices tracked closely, peaking at N$7,480 and settling lower toward year-end.
The mahangu (pearl millet) floor price remained fixed at N$7,203 per ton across all bi-weekly periods.
Monthly average traded prices from import and local channels reflected these trends: imported white maize averaged N$5,040 per ton (lower due to bulk sourcing), while local white maize fetched N$6,385 on average.
Wheat imports averaged N$4,747, and pearl millet imports were notably lower at N$3,089.
