Exporting table grapes from Namibia
The Aussenkehr harvest that fills European shelves in December.
Your route to a first table grapes shipment
| Where you are | What you buy | Total | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| New business: No registered CC or company yet | Export Starter Package + Fresh Produce Export Pack | N$21,000 | 25–35 working days |
| Registered business: A CC or company, but no customs code yet | Export Registration + Fresh Produce Export Pack | N$17,000 | 15–25 working days |
| Already an exporter: Customs code in hand, new to this commodity | Fresh Produce Export Pack + Shipment Documents | N$14,000 | 10–15 working days |
The Fresh Produce Export Pack is N$8,500, government fees included. Each shipment's documents after that are N$5,500.
What you need before we start
- A registered business, or the Export Starter Package to create one
- Farm and packhouse details, varieties and expected cartons per season
- A buyer or an export agent; most Aussenkehr grapes are sold forward to European and UK importers
- Cold storage and reefer transport arrangements
Who regulates table grapes exports
- Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform (Plant Health): Phytosanitary certificate for each consignment
- Namibian Agronomic Board: Producer and exporter registration and the horticulture levy
- NamRA Customs: Exporter registration and the export declaration
- Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry: Certificate of origin or EUR.1
Documents on a first shipment
- NAB registration
- Phytosanitary certificate
- EUR.1 or certificate of origin
- GlobalG.A.P. and packhouse certification
- Cold-chain records
Where Namibian table grapes sells
European Union, United Kingdom, Middle East, Far East.
- Table grapes were Namibia’s top agricultural export in the fourth quarter of 2025, at about N$1.2 billion (Namibia Statistics Agency).
What buyers ask for
- Varieties, berry size and colour grades stated per lot, with Brix at harvest
- Standard 4.5 kg or 5 kg cartons with punnets or bags as the retailer specifies
- GlobalG.A.P. and a packhouse audit for every supermarket programme
- Residue levels within EU and UK limits, with a report for each season
- Unbroken cold chain and reefer temperature records
Where first-time exporters go wrong
- Cold-chain breaks between packhouse and Walvis Bay or Cape Town
- Late phytosanitary inspection bookings in peak season
- Residue levels above EU limits
Frequently asked questions
When must everything be in place?
Before harvest. Namibian grapes ship from late November to January, so registrations, GlobalG.A.P. and inspection bookings should be done by October.
Can a new grower export directly?
Yes, but most new growers export through an established exporter or agent in the first season while their own registrations and certifications mature. We can set up both routes.
How long does the pack take?
10 to 15 working days for a registered business. Inspection and certifier audits run on their own calendars, which is why starting early matters.
Buying Namibian table grapes instead? See supply, specifications and verified suppliers.