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

Botswana Food Preparations Import (HS 2106) Key Takeaways

Botswana's Food preparations imports under HS Code 2106 in May 2025 reveal a market dominated by bulk, low-margin products, with South Africa supplying 91% of the value—highlighting significant geographic risk. The trade is concentrated among a few key suppliers like Danone, exposing importers to supply chain vulnerabilities, while premium protein concentrates offer higher-margin opportunities. Import values show signs of stabilization after April's volatility, likely due to post-tariff adjustments. This analysis is based on cleanly processed Customs data from the yTrade database for May 2025.

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 that don’t fit into more specific classifications. These preparations are widely used in industries like retail, hospitality, and food manufacturing, driven by consistent global demand for convenience and specialty foods. Their versatility and application across multiple sectors make them a stable trade commodity.

Current Context and Strategic Position

In April 2025, the U.S. increased additional duties on imports from Botswana to 37%, effective 9 April 2025 [Global Trade Alert]. This policy shift underscores the need for vigilance in monitoring Botswana’s food preparations import trends under HS Code 2106. As a key supplier, Botswana’s trade dynamics are influenced by such regulatory changes, making real-time HS Code 2106 trade data critical for stakeholders navigating this evolving landscape.

Botswana Food Preparations Import (HS 2106) Price Trend

Key Observations

In May 2025, Botswana's Food preparations imports totaled $2.44 million USD at a unit price of $2.45 per kilogram, reflecting a slight recovery in value amid ongoing market adjustments.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The Botswana Food preparations Import trend exhibited notable volatility from January to May 2025, with unit prices fluctuating between $1.39/kg and $2.47/kg and import weights dropping sharply in February and April. This instability coincided with the U.S. duty increase on imports from Botswana in April [Global Trade Alert], which likely contributed to broader trade uncertainties and supply chain disruptions. The sequential uptick in both value and weight from April to May indicates a potential market stabilization, possibly driven by seasonal restocking cycles or adaptive import strategies in response to earlier shocks.

Botswana Food Preparations Import (HS 2106) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

According to yTrade data for May 2025, Botswana's import of HS Code 2106 is heavily concentrated in general food preparations, with the sub-code 21069090 ("Food preparations; n.e.c. in item no. 2106.10") dominating at over half the value share and weight share, priced at 2.46 USD per kilogram. This low unit price suggests a focus on bulk, standardized products. An extreme price anomaly is present in sub-code 21069035, isolated at 75.15 USD per kilogram, indicating a highly specialized or niche item that skews the average.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The non-anomalous imports under Botswana's HS Code 2106 break into three value-add tiers: bulk food preparations like 21069020 at 1.12 USD/kg, mid-range protein concentrates such as 21061090 at 5.78 USD/kg, and higher-value specialized items like 21061010 at 12.77 USD/kg. This structure points to a trade in differentiated manufactured goods rather than fungible commodities, with varying grades from basic to premium based on protein content and processing.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

For importers, this HS Code 2106 trade data reveals limited pricing power in bulk segments but opportunities in higher-margin specialized products. Strategic focus should target diversifying into protein concentrates and premium preparations to capture better margins, while monitoring cost efficiency in high-volume, low-price imports to maintain competitiveness in Botswana's market.

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 May 2025, accounting for 91% of the value, 98% of the weight, and 94% of the shipment frequency. The higher weight share compared to value share points to imports of bulk or lower-end variants, such as raw ingredients or semi-processed items for local use. The high frequency suggests regular, small-ticket shipments, common for perishable or retail-ready food supply chains.

Origin Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The remaining origin countries form two clusters based on trade profiles. Denmark and Italy represent a high-yield cluster, with value shares exceeding weight shares, indicating supplies of premium or specialized food preparations, like gourmet or branded products. Other countries, including China, Zambia, and the United States, show similar value-weight disparities but with minimal shares, suggesting niche demand for diverse food items, though their overall impact is small compared to South Africa's dominance.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Botswana's heavy reliance on South Africa for Food preparations imports highlights a supply chain vulnerability to regional disruptions. Diversifying sources among the minor suppliers could reduce dependency and stabilize access to varied food products. Monitoring trade policies is advised, though current news does not directly affect these import patterns.

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

In May 2025, the Botswana Food preparations import market is heavily dominated by a small group of suppliers. According to yTrade data, suppliers with high value and high frequency account for 84.09% of the total import value, indicating a concentrated structure. The typical trade involves regular, high-volume shipments from these key players.

Strategic Supplier Clusters and Trade Role

Other clusters contribute smaller shares, with high value low frequency and low value groups making up the remainder. The profile of HS code 2106 suppliers in the dominant cluster, including companies like Danone, points to a direct-to-factory model. This is because these are well-known manufacturers, suggesting streamlined supply chains with minimal intermediation.

Sourcing Strategy and Vulnerability

For importers in Botswana, reliance on a few major suppliers increases vulnerability to disruptions, such as production issues or logistical delays. Strategic focus should include diversifying sources to reduce risk. The direct sourcing model offers cost efficiency but requires robust relationship management to ensure stability.

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

• Diversify sourcing beyond South Africa by targeting high-yield suppliers from Denmark and Italy to reduce supply chain vulnerability and access premium products, as Botswana's Food preparations import is 91% reliant on a single origin.
• Shift import mix toward higher-margin items like protein concentrates (HS 210610) using hs code 2106 trade data to identify products priced above 5 USD/kg, boosting profit margins in a market dominated by low-value bulk goods.
• Develop direct relationships with key manufacturers such as Danone to secure stable pricing and priority access, mitigating risks from the highly concentrated supplier base that controls 84% of import value.
• Monitor logistics for high-frequency shipments from South Africa to optimize inventory levels and avoid stockouts, as the Food preparations supply chain depends on regular, smaller deliveries of perishable goods.
• Analyze trade policy changes regionally to anticipate disruptions or tariffs affecting the Botswana Food preparations import flow, ensuring continuity for a category vulnerable to geopolitical shifts.

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 May?

The slight recovery in import value and unit price ($2.45/kg) reflects market stabilization after volatility linked to the U.S. duty increase in April 2025, with potential seasonal restocking also contributing.

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

South Africa dominates with 91% of import value, followed by Denmark and Italy as niche suppliers of premium products.

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

Price differences stem from product tiers: bulk items like 21069020 at $1.12/kg contrast with premium protein concentrates (e.g., 21061010 at $12.77/kg) from specialized suppliers.

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

Diversify suppliers beyond South Africa to mitigate disruption risks and prioritize higher-margin specialized products (e.g., protein concentrates) to improve profitability.

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

South African suppliers benefit from bulk demand, while niche players (e.g., Denmark, Italy) can leverage Botswana’s limited premium segment for higher-value exports.

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

Imports are primarily bulk food preparations for local consumption or processing, with a smaller share of high-end protein concentrates for specialized markets.