Namport statistics show that Namibian companies are adapting to disruptions in the supply chain as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.Wheat: Namibian companies are negotiating with new suppliers in Europe, namely Latvia and Germany, to replace imports from Russia.Ammonium Nitrate (AN):Namibian companies have switched from Russia to Latvia, with the first shipment of 3 500 tons of AN arriving in May.Poultry: Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are the main consumers of poultry imported via the Port of Walvis Bay. The main supplier was MHP, the largest frozen warehouse in Ukraine (since destroyed by the Russians) and Genetic Resources based in Russia. Poultry will now mainly be imported from the USA, Turkey and Canada.Sulphur: Zambia and DRC imports are predominantly sourced from Kazakhstan, but loaded in Russia’s Port of Ust-Luga. There is currently no indication that sulphur imports originating from Kazakhstan will be negatively impacted by the sanctions on Russia, according to Namport. A shipment of 15 000 tons is due to be discharged at the Port of Walvis Bay. Some local mines source the bulk of their sulphur from the United Arab Emirates.“With the above interventions for sourcing wheat, ammonium nitrate and poultry from new suppliers, and uninterrupted exports of sulphur from Kazakhstan via Russia’s Ust-Luga port, volumes and supplies to consumers and industry are expected to hold up.“Nonetheless, the risk of a more severe outcome remains possible over the longer term.“The rising fuel costs, however, have a direct impact on Namport’s cost of doing business, and also affect the competitiveness of Namibia’s transport corridors,” says a Namport spokesperson.
