Namibia is bringing in new regulations to force supermarket chains and other importers, most of which are South African-owned, to buy local fruit and vegetables, the government said late on Tuesday.
From October 1, wholesalers and importers of fruit and vegetables will have to buy three percent of their supplies from Namibian farmers, said the Namibia Agronomic Board.
”Although some importers are sourcing locally, unfortunately the majority do not make special efforts to buy fresh fruit and vegetables,” said Christof Brock, the board’s director.
Importing companies will have to provide the agriculture board with returns to show that they are buying local products.
”We want to gradually increase the three percent over the next five to seven years to fifty percent of locally bought fruit and vegetables,” Brock said.
The new measure is the second step of Namibia’s efforts to stimulate local food production and to become less dependent on imports.
In 2002, the government introduced a tax of 1,2% on all food and vegetable imports, which mainly come from South Africa.
Companies importing food and vegetables also had to get import permits.
Zambia’s President Levy Mwanawasa earlier this week criticised South African supermarket chains for putting too many imports on their shelves. – Sapa-AFP