The Minister of Agriculture, Carl Schlettwein, says the subsidised commodities in the US markets would make it difficult for Namibian products to enter the space.

As a result, he says, the two countries could discuss the possibility of preferential treatment for some products.

Schlettwein said this during a meeting with a delegation of representatives from different US agencies at the US-Africa Business Summit in Tlokweng, Botswana.

Currently, Namibia is targeting mostly niche markets within the US with its premium products of beef, beer, and charcoal.
Subsidised commodities in the US may pose a threat to Namibia's aims to diversify and increase the number of exports of other products.

Namibia also needs significant investments in irrigation systems, coupled with digital solutions.

This, Schlettwein says, is as the country seeks to branch into intensive irrigation agriculture to link staple produce into high-value crops, including table grapes and blueberries, targeting certain niche markets.

The US Trade and Development Agency and others see potential and interest in a number of sectors in Namibia.

Concrete discussions with relevant stakeholders in the public and private sectors are expected to continue between the respective agencies responsible for investment promotion and economic diplomacy.