FOOD PRICE INFLATION

Namibian shoppers are under the whip as food prices rise sharply

By our African Marketing Confederation News Team | 2025

Fruit prices rose by a significant 15.5% in May, with notable price increases for watermelons, citrus fruits and avocados.

Despite a general easing of inflation in Namibia, the country’s consumers continue to be under pressure due to a steep rise in food inflation. 

 

The latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) bulletin from the Namibia Statistics Agency indicates that the cost of food and non-alcoholic beverages increased by 5.8% year-on-year during May 2025, while the headline inflation rate stood at 3.5%. 

 

Fruit prices rose by a significant 15.5%, according to the statistics agency, with notable price increases for watermelons, citrus fruits and avocados. 

 

Meat prices went up by 8.8%, driven by higher costs for beef, lamb, minced meat and biltong. “These are staple protein sources for many Namibian households, rendering the increase particularly significant in the context of nutritional accessibility,” comments the ‘Southern African Times’ digital newspaper. 

Oils and fats saw a 9.1% increase due to increasing prices of cooking oil and cooking fats. 

Photo by Jack Sparrow from Pexels

Other food items that registered notable increases include fish (up 9.1%) and vegetables (up 7.7%), compared to the same period in 2024. 

 

The structure of Namibia’s inflation basket remains heavily weighted towards food, housing, transport, and alcoholic beverages, which together constitute over 70% of household expenditure, according to the Namibia Statistics Agency. 

 

Adds the ‘Southern African Times’: “This composition means that even modest increases in food prices can have outsized effects on household budgets, particularly in lower-income brackets.” 

 

Fuel-price inflation shows a decline 

 

In contrast to rising food prices, transport costs in Namibia declined by 1.3% year-on-year in May, largely due to falling fuel prices. The price of petrol and diesel fell by 7.8% compared to the previous year, providing some relief to overall inflationary pressures for hard-pressed Namibian consumers. 

 

Inflation is expected to ease further to around 3.3% in June and will likely stay below 4% for the rest of 2025. 

 

According to Namibian-based radio station Eagle FM, “The cost of living remains a challenge, especially for lower-income Namibians”. 

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    Dr Kin Kariisa

    Group CEO - Next Media

    Dr. Kin Kariisa is an extraordinary force at the helm of Next Media Services, a conglomerate encompassing NBS TV, Nile Post, Sanyuka TV, Next Radio, Salam TV, Next Communication, Next Productions, and an array of other influential enterprises. His dynamic role as Chief Executive Officer exemplifies his unwavering commitment to shaping media, business, and community landscapes.
    With an esteemed academic journey, Dr. Kariisa’s accolades include an Honorary PhD in exemplary community service from the United Graduate College inTexas, an MBA from United States International University in Nairobi, Kenya, a Master’s degree in Computer Engineering from Huazong University in China, and a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics from Makerere University.
    Dr. Kariisa pursued PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radboud University in Nijmegen, Netherlands. As a dynamic educator, he has shared his expertise as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at both Makerere University and Radboud University.

    Dr Kin did his PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radbond University in Nigmegen, Netherlands. He previously served as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda and Radbond University in Netherlands.

    Dr Kin did his postgraduate courses in Strategic Business Management, Strategic Leadership Communication and Strategies for Leading Successful Change Initiatives at Harvard University, Boston USA.

    • Other current and previous roles played by Dr Kin Kariisa:
    • Lecturer of e-Government and Information Security to graduate students at Makerere University, Kampala and Radbond University in the Netherlands
    • Director of Eco Bank Uganda Limited, one of the largest banks in Africa
    • Chairman of the National Association of Broadcasters, an umbrella industry association for all Television, Radio and online broadcasters in Uganda.
    • Chairman of Board of Directors of Nile Hotel International, that owns the leading hotel in Uganda, Kampala Serena Hotel.
    • Chairman of Board of Directors of Soliton Telmec Uganda, the leading telecom company in Optic fibre business managing over 80% of optic fibre in Uganda.