Mbabane – The National Agricultural Marketing Board (NAMBoard) has announced the implementation of the “local sourcing” condition to be fulfilled before a permit to import sugar beans into the kingdom of Eswatini is issued.
This means that before a permission to import is issued the importer will have to prove that at least 25% of the amount to be imported has been sourced from local farmers.
This move is to protect the local produce from the total defunct from outside competition. NAMBoard says it has conducted an assessment study that has shown that in this year, local farmers have produced about 1000 metric tonnes, which is a major increase from the 250 metric tonnes average that they have been producing in recent years.
In the same assessment conducted by NAMBoard, about 4200 metric tonnes were imported into the country from South Africa from January to August this year. This according to a statement released by NAMBoard, is squeezing local produce out of the market.
The assessment also further indicated that about 600 tonnes of local produce has been flagged off at give-away prices just to offload it, due to overflowing of the market with imports. The statement said NAMBoard has noted that this has resulted in the local farmers making operational losses and unable to pay their loans acquired to produce these beans.
Currently, local produce remaining has been verified to be about 400 tonnes which, if taken at 25% of national demand, should be depleted in four months. After these beans are depleted, this condition will be uplifted. This condition will be effective from 20 October and is estimated to be lifted on 20 January, however NAMBoard has pledged to continue monitoring the situation.
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