Botswana Food Preparations Import Market -- HS Code 2106 Trade Data & Price Trend (Aug 2025)

Botswana Food Preparations Import (HS 2106) Key Takeaways

Botswana’s Food preparations import market in August 2025, analyzed using cleanly processed Customs data from the yTrade database, reveals a dual-tiered HS Code 2106 trade structure: bulk, low-value items dominate volume, while specialized protein concentrates command premium prices. The market is highly concentrated, with 91% of import value controlled by a few key suppliers like FAMOUS BRANDS, creating supply chain risks. South Africa supplies 87% of imports, highlighting geographic dependency, while price volatility persists amid global trade disruptions. Demand remains stable, but strategic diversification is critical to mitigate risks in this high-stakes market.

Botswana Food Preparations Import (HS 2106) Background

What is HS Code 2106?

HS Code 2106 covers Food preparations not elsewhere specified, a broad category encompassing processed food products not classified under more specific headings. These preparations are widely used in retail, food service, and manufacturing industries, driving stable global demand due to their versatility and convenience. Key applications include ready-to-eat meals, sauces, and dietary supplements, making this a strategically significant trade segment.

Current Context and Strategic Position

In April 2025, the U.S. increased additional duties on imports from Botswana to 37%, directly impacting trade flows under HS Code 2106 [Global Trade Alert]. This policy shift underscores the need for vigilance in monitoring Botswana's food preparations import dynamics, particularly as the U.S. is a major market. Botswana's role in this trade flow is notable due to its growing agro-processing sector, which supplies niche and value-added products. Analyzing HS Code 2106 trade data is now critical to assess the impact of tariff adjustments and identify emerging opportunities in alternative markets.

Botswana Food Preparations Import (HS 2106) Price Trend

Key Observations

In August 2025, imports of Food preparations into Botswana were valued at 2.66 million USD, with a unit price of 2.02 USD per kg.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The Botswana Food preparations Import trend exhibited notable volatility in 2025, with unit prices swinging from a low of 1.39 USD/kg in January to a high of 3.07 USD/kg in July, before the August decline. This instability aligns with the U.S. Administration's imposition of a 37% additional duty on all imports from Botswana in April [Global Trade Alert], which likely triggered supply chain adjustments and pricing uncertainty. The hs code 2106 value trend remained relatively stable, hovering between 1.89 and 2.70 million USD, reflecting consistent demand despite external pressures. The sequential surge in import weight to 1.32 million kg in August, coupled with lower prices, points to a market recalibration, possibly driven by seasonal inventory builds or competitive sourcing shifts in response to global trade dynamics.

Botswana Food Preparations Import (HS 2106) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

According to yTrade data for August 2025, Botswana's import of HS Code 2106 is dominated by general food preparations under sub-code 21069090, which holds a 44% value share despite accounting for only 30% of the weight. This points to a market focused on mid-range, processed items. A notable high-value outlier is a specialized preparation (21069017), priced at nearly $400/kg, which is excluded from the main analysis due to its extreme price point.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The import structure reveals two clear tiers. The bulk of trade consists of lower-value, high-volume food preparations like those in 21069020 and 21069050, which are likely standardized or semi-processed commodities traded in large quantities. A distinct, higher-value segment includes protein concentrates (21061090 and 21061010), which command significantly higher prices per kilogram, indicating trade in more specialized, nutrient-dense ingredients rather than uniform bulk goods.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

Suppliers of the premium protein concentrates hold stronger pricing power due to product differentiation and higher unit values. For businesses analyzing Botswana's HS Code 2106 import trends, the data suggests a dual strategy: competing on volume in the bulk preparation market or focusing on specialized, high-margin products like protein additives. Market entry or expansion should target these specific niches to align with the structured demand visible in the trade data.

Table: Botswana HS Code 2106) Breakdown Details (Source: yTrade)

Check Detailed HS Code 2106 Breakdown

Botswana Food Preparations Import (HS 2106) Origin Countries

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

South Africa is the dominant source for Botswana's Food preparations imports in August 2025, accounting for 86.85% of the import value and 94.40% of the weight. The higher weight share compared to value share indicates that these imports are primarily bulk or lower-value food items, such as raw ingredients or basic processed foods. The frequency share is also high at 90.41%, showing consistent and regular shipments, which is common for staple food supplies in trade data for HS Code 2106.

Origin Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The other origin countries can be grouped into clusters based on their import profiles. A High-Yield Cluster includes the United States, Spain, Romania, and Italy, where value shares are relatively high but weight shares are low, suggesting imports of premium or specialty food products like branded or high-quality items. A Volume Cluster features Eswatini with a weight share of 2.43% exceeding its value share, indicating bulk imports of raw materials or lower-cost food components. A Transactional Cluster consists of China, Netherlands, Denmark, and Singapore, with moderate frequency shares pointing to frequent, smaller shipments, likely for perishable or time-sensitive food goods, supported by their roles as trade hubs.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Botswana's heavy reliance on South Africa for Food preparations imports poses a supply chain risk, emphasizing the need to diversify sourcing to ensure stability. Exploring alternative suppliers in the High-Yield and Volume clusters could reduce dependency and mitigate potential disruptions. For instance, increasing imports from European or Asian partners might balance the mix of bulk and premium food products.

Table: Botswana Food Preparations (HS 2106) Top Origin Countries (Source: yTrade)

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Botswana Food Preparations (HS 2106) Suppliers Analysis

Supplier Concentration and Dominance

According to yTrade data, the Botswana Food preparations import market in August 2025 shows high concentration, with a dominant cluster of suppliers accounting for 91.29% of the total import value. These suppliers handle frequent, high-volume transactions, representing the core of Botswana's import activity for this product. The typical trade involves key players that drive most of the market's value and volume.

Strategic Supplier Clusters and Trade Role

The dominant cluster includes companies like FAMOUS BRANDS and FOSCHINI RETAIL GROUP, indicating a market where established brands and retail distributors lead supply chains directly to end-users. Other clusters contribute smaller shares, with some offering low-value but frequent shipments, likely from niche or smaller suppliers. The profile of HS code 2106 suppliers suggests a direct-to-market approach, reducing intermediation and focusing on branded goods.

Sourcing Strategy and Vulnerability

For importers in Botswana, reliance on a few high-value suppliers increases vulnerability to supply chain disruptions. Strategic focus should include diversifying sources and exploring relationships with lower-frequency clusters to mitigate risks. This structure highlights the importance of maintaining flexible sourcing models to ensure stable access to Food preparations.

Table: Botswana Food Preparations (HS 2106) Top Suppliers List (Source: yTrade)

Check Full Food preparations Supplier lists

Action Plan for Food Preparations Market Operation and Expansion

• Analyze hs code 2106 trade data to identify and target high-margin sub-codes like protein concentrates, as they offer stronger pricing power and align with Botswana's specialized import demand for Food preparations.
• Diversify sourcing beyond South Africa by engaging suppliers from High-Yield Cluster countries (e.g., U.S., Italy), reducing supply chain vulnerability and balancing bulk and premium product access for Botswana Food preparations Import.
• Use supplier frequency and volume data to negotiate flexible contracts with both dominant and niche suppliers, ensuring stable inventory and mitigating risks in the Food preparations supply chain.
• Develop a dual sourcing strategy: compete on volume for bulk sub-codes (e.g., 21069020) while building partnerships for high-value items, optimizing cost and variety in Botswana's import portfolio.

Take Action Now —— Explore Botswana Food preparations Import Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Botswana Food preparations Import 2025 August?

The volatility in unit prices (from $1.39/kg in January to $3.07/kg in July) is linked to the U.S. imposing a 37% duty on Botswana imports in April 2025, disrupting supply chains. The August rebound to 1.32 million kg at $2.02/kg suggests market recalibration, likely due to seasonal restocking or sourcing shifts.

Q2. Who are the main origin countries of Botswana Food preparations (HS Code 2106) 2025 August?

South Africa dominates with 86.85% of import value and 94.40% of weight, followed by niche suppliers like the U.S., Spain, and Italy (High-Yield Cluster) with premium products, and Eswatini (Volume Cluster) for bulk items.

Q3. Why does the unit price differ across origin countries of Botswana Food preparations Import?

Price gaps stem from product specialization: South Africa supplies bulk/low-value items, while the High-Yield Cluster (e.g., U.S., Italy) trades premium goods like protein concentrates (e.g., sub-code 21061090 at ~$400/kg).

Q4. What should importers in Botswana focus on when buying Food preparations?

Diversify sourcing beyond South Africa to mitigate supply risks—explore High-Yield Cluster suppliers for premium products or Volume Cluster (e.g., Eswatini) for cost-effective bulk goods.

Q5. What does this Botswana Food preparations import pattern mean for overseas suppliers?

Suppliers of specialized products (e.g., protein concentrates) have pricing power due to demand for differentiated goods, while bulk suppliers must compete on volume in a concentrated market.

Q6. How is Food preparations typically used in this trade flow?

Imports are split between standardized bulk items (e.g., raw ingredients) for mass consumption and high-value additives (e.g., protein concentrates) for specialized food manufacturing or retail distribution.