Botswana Food Preparations Import Market -- HS Code 2106 Trade Data & Price Trend (Q2 2025)

Botswana Food Preparations Import (HS 2106) Key Takeaways

Botswana’s food preparations imports under HS code 2106 in Q2 2025 are dominated by low-cost bulk products, with a minor premium segment, as unit prices fell to $2.96/kg amid declining monthly import values. The market is highly concentrated, with South Africa supplying 88% of volume and a few key suppliers like MASSTORES handling 84% of trade value, creating supply chain risks. Importers should diversify sourcing to mitigate vulnerabilities while leveraging niche high-margin opportunities. This analysis is based on cleanly processed customs data from the yTrade database for Q2 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 like protein shakes, dessert mixes, and other composite food items. These products are widely used in retail, hospitality, and health industries, driving consistent global demand due to their convenience and versatility. Botswana's Food Preparations Import under this code reflects its reliance on processed food products to meet domestic consumption needs.

Current Context and Strategic Position

Recent updates to Botswana’s tariff schedule, including exemptions for ships transporting goods under their own power [BURS], may indirectly influence logistics costs for HS Code 2106 imports. Botswana’s strategic position as a net importer of food preparations highlights its dependence on global supply chains, particularly for value-added food products. Monitoring hs code 2106 trade data is critical to assess how tariff adjustments and shipping regulations impact market dynamics. Vigilance is essential to navigate potential disruptions in Botswana’s Food Preparations Import sector.

Botswana Food Preparations Import (HS 2106) Price Trend

Key Observations

Botswana's food preparations import trend for HS code 2106 in Q2 2025 concluded with a value of $1.89 million in June, at a unit price of $2.96 per kg, marking a decline from the $2.44 million recorded in May.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The sequential drop in import value from May to June follows a pattern of fluctuating volume, with weight decreasing to 639.87 thousand kg. This movement may be partly attributed to tariff adjustments outlined in the BURS tariff notes released in January [BURS], which could have elevated import costs and influenced buyer behavior. The hs code 2106 value trend demonstrates resilience in unit prices, climbing from $2.45 per kg in May, indicating potential pass-through of higher expenses amid global demand shifts or currency effects.

Botswana Food Preparations Import (HS 2106) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

In Q2 2025, Botswana's import of HS Code 2106 is dominated by general food preparations under sub-code 21069090, which focuses on non-specified items. According to yTrade data, this sub-code holds over half of the import value and weight, with a low unit price of 2.57 USD per kilogram, highlighting a specialization in high-volume, low-cost bulk products. An outlier is sub-code 21069017, with a significantly higher unit price of 30.71 USD per kilogram, but it represents less than one percent of the market and is isolated from the main analysis due to its minor role.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The remaining sub-codes fall into two clear categories: bulk food preparations, such as 21069020 and 21069050 with unit prices under 3 USD per kilogram, and higher-value items like protein concentrates (e.g., 21061090 at 6.17 USD/kg) and premium preparations (e.g., 21061010 at 17.50 USD/kg). This split indicates a market dealing primarily in fungible bulk commodities, with a smaller segment of differentiated, manufactured goods that add more value.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

For importers, the HS Code 2106 trade data suggests a strategic focus on securing bulk supplies for cost efficiency, while niche high-value products offer opportunities for better margins. Pricing power is constrained in the bulk segment due to competitive pressures, but specialized items allow for more control over prices.

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

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Botswana Food Preparations Import (HS 2106) Origin Countries

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

Botswana's imports of Food Preparations in Q2 2025 were overwhelmingly concentrated on a single supplier. South Africa was the dominant origin, responsible for 88.06% of the total import value. This value share was lower than its 95.29% quantity and 95.60% weight shares. This gap shows that Botswana primarily sources bulk, lower-value versions of these products from its neighbor, as the average price per kilogram from South Africa is lower than the overall import average.

Origin Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The remaining trade partners form two distinct clusters. The first is a High-Yield cluster, including France, the United States, Denmark, and China. These countries have a higher value share than their volume share, indicating shipments of premium, higher-value food preparations. The second is a Volume cluster, consisting of Eswatini and Zambia. Their trade is characterized by a higher share of physical volume (weight) compared to their value contribution, pointing to shipments of bulk or commodity-grade products.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Botswana's heavy reliance on South Africa for its Food Preparations imports creates a significant supply chain vulnerability. Any disruption in cross-border trade, logistics, or South African production would immediately impact the availability of these goods. For greater resilience, importers should develop contingency plans and explore diversifying their sourcing to include more partners from the High-Yield cluster, which could also help access a wider variety of product grades.

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 Q2 2025, the Botswana Food Preparations import market is heavily concentrated among a small group of suppliers. According to yTrade data, suppliers with high value and high frequency shipments dominate, accounting for 84.16% of the total import value. This group also handles 78.53% of all shipments, indicating that the typical trade involves regular, high-volume deliveries of premium products.

Strategic Supplier Clusters and Trade Role

The remaining supplier groups include high value but low frequency importers, low value but high frequency ones, and a small cluster with low value and low frequency. The dominant HS code 2106 suppliers, such as MASSTORES and HERBALIFE, are well-known distributors and direct sellers, pointing to an intermediated market where products flow through established retail or network channels. This structure suggests that bulk, branded items are central to Botswana's imports, with smaller players handling niche or occasional shipments.

Sourcing Strategy and Vulnerability

Botswana's heavy reliance on a few key suppliers for Food Preparations imports creates vulnerability to supply chain disruptions or price shifts. Diversifying sources could mitigate risks, especially with potential tariff changes as noted in the [BURS tariff schedule]. Importers should focus on building relationships with alternative suppliers to ensure stability and cost control in their sourcing model.

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

• Use hs code 2106 trade data to diversify suppliers beyond dominant players like South Africa, reducing Botswana's Food Preparations Import vulnerability to supply disruptions and ensuring cost stability.
• Analyze sub-code specifics in the trade data to shift focus towards high-value products such as protein concentrates, boosting margins in Botswana's Food Preparations Import by targeting premium market segments.
• Expand sourcing to high-yield countries like France and the US identified in the data, strengthening the Food Preparations supply chain with diverse, quality options and reducing over-reliance on bulk imports.
• Monitor tariff changes using the BURS schedule and adjust procurement strategies accordingly, protecting the Food Preparations supply chain from unexpected cost hikes and maintaining competitive pricing.

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 Q2?

The import value dropped from $2.44 million in May to $1.89 million in June, likely due to tariff adjustments and fluctuating demand. Unit prices rose slightly, suggesting cost pass-through from global market shifts.

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

South Africa dominates with 88.06% of import value, followed by a High-Yield cluster (France, the U.S., Denmark, China) and a Volume cluster (Eswatini, Zambia).

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

Bulk, low-cost products (e.g., sub-code 21069090 at $2.57/kg) come mainly from South Africa, while premium items (e.g., 21061010 at $17.50/kg) are sourced from High-Yield countries.

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

Prioritize bulk purchases for cost efficiency but diversify suppliers to mitigate reliance on South Africa. Explore niche high-value products for better margins.

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

Suppliers in High-Yield countries have opportunities to expand premium exports, while bulk-focused suppliers must compete on price due to market saturation.

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

Most imports are bulk, low-cost food preparations for mass consumption, with a smaller share of high-value items like protein concentrates or premium supplements.

Detailed Monthly Report

Botswana HS2106 Import Snapshot 2025 APR

Botswana HS2106 Import Snapshot 2025 MAY

Botswana HS2106 Import Snapshot 2025 JUN