Africa-Press – Namibia. LAST year, Namibia imported a whopping N$97,6 billion worth of goods, with clothes, including underwear, accounting for N$534 million.
Namibia has always been a net importer, with exports for the year coming in short at just N$68,3 billion.
Namibian imports comprise goods mostly bought from neighbouring South Africa by both individuals and companies.
Analysts have argued that were it not that South African retailers dominate Namibia’s retail market, imports from that country would be different.
The list of 2021 imports include – N$534 million worth of clothes for both men and women at N$268 million and N$265 million, respectively.
Underwear is not classified individually, according to the Namibia Statistics Agency trade data, but is included in other night wear, suits, shorts and dresses.
The country has some estimated 2,5 million people, according to the United Nations estimates, and imported baby carriages and toys to the tune of N$241 million.
It also appears that most people in Namibia have eye problems as they scooped up N$129 million worth of optical goods.
Despite being late comers to most events, imported clocks and watches stood at N$39 million.
Unheard of in the mainstream is an active gold and current coins market in the country, with imports clocking in at N$12 million, although way less than the N$27 million was reported for 2020.
Pots and cutlery stood at a combined N$112 million – an increase from N$91 million reported in 2020.
Namibia is full of upcoming artists in the music industry, daily a new song is released and to this effect as locals hone their musical skills, musical instruments and parts imported in the country stood at N$79 million.
Essential oils and perfumes stood at N$140 million, down from N$174 million recorded for 2020 probably because there was much working from home in 2021.
Planes, jets and other aircraft related parts came in at N$378 million despite reduced flight activities last year due to Covid-19.
As the government banned alcohol in 2021, non-alcoholic drinks shot up, with the country importing N$530 million worth of non-alcoholic beverages – a 44% increase compared to 2020.
The motor vehicles industry was also busy – with road motor vehicles coming in the country shy of a billion at N$978 million.
Medicines were at N$2 billion, and N$12 billion worth of fuel also came in during 2021.
The measure of trade dependence for Namibia stood at 45,9% in 2021, indicating that Namibia’s economy has been largely dependent on international trade.
The import penetration index calculations for 2021 revealed that imports satisfied 46,4% of the aggregate demand in Namibia in 2021. Export propensity for the period under review indicates that Namibia’s producers channelled 37,8% of their production to foreign economies.
For More News And Analysis About Namibia Follow Africa-Press
