Botswana Food Preparations Import Market -- HS Code 2106 Trade Data & Price Trend (Q3 2025)

Botswana Food Preparations Import (HS 2106) Key Takeaways

Botswana’s Food Preparations imports under HS Code 2106 in Q3 2025 reveal a market dominated by bulk, low-value food preparations (50.36% share at $2.80/kg), with higher-margin protein concentrates offering strategic diversification potential. The trade surged from $2.25M in July to $2.66M in August before stabilizing at $2.36M in September, reflecting volatile unit prices ($3.07/kg to $2.02/kg). Supplier concentration is extreme, with 81.92% of import value controlled by a few high-volume players, while South Africa supplies 86.96% of imports, creating supply chain vulnerability. This analysis, covering 2025 Q3, is based on cleanly processed Customs data from the yTrade database.

Botswana Food Preparations Import (HS 2106) Background

What is HS Code 2106?

HS Code 2106 covers food preparations not elsewhere specified, including mixed or processed food products like protein concentrates, flavored syrups, and dietary supplements. These products are widely used in the food manufacturing, retail, and hospitality sectors, driving consistent global demand due to their versatility and convenience. Botswana's reliance on imports for such preparations highlights their role in supporting domestic food security and industrial needs.

Current Context and Strategic Position

Botswana's food and beverage imports, including HS Code 2106 products, reached P1,207.3 million in August 2025, reflecting sustained demand for processed food inputs [Stats Botswana]. As a landlocked nation with limited local production capacity, Botswana's Food Preparations Import depends heavily on regional and global supply chains, making it vulnerable to price fluctuations and trade disruptions. Monitoring HS Code 2106 trade data is critical for policymakers and businesses to ensure stable supply and competitive pricing in this essential category.

Botswana Food Preparations Import (HS 2106) Price Trend

Key Observations

In Q3 2025, Botswana's Food Preparations imports recorded a value of 2.25 million USD in July, climbing to 2.66 million USD in August before moderating to 2.36 million USD in September. Unit prices showed significant swings, from $3.07 per kg in July to $2.02 per kg in August, then recovering to $2.38 per kg in September, reflecting heightened volatility in the hs code 2106 value trend.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The Botswana Food Preparations Import trend built momentum from a June low of 1.89 million USD, with values rising sequentially through July and August amid fluctuating unit prices. This pattern suggests potential inventory adjustments or seasonal demand shifts, common in food sectors where import cycles respond to local consumption rhythms. The August price drop coincided with a volume increase, possibly indicating bulk purchasing or competitive sourcing, while broader economic factors like currency exchange rates or global supply chain dynamics likely influenced these movements without specific policy drivers in the quarter.

Botswana Food Preparations Import (HS 2106) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

According to yTrade data for 2025 Q3, Botswana's import of HS Code 2106 is heavily concentrated in a single product type: the "Food preparations; n.e.c." under sub-code 21069090, which holds a 50.36 percent value share and a unit price of 2.80 USD per kilogram. This dominance, coupled with a lower unit price compared to some other sub-codes, suggests a focus on standardized, bulk food preparations. An extreme price anomaly exists with sub-code 21069017 at 436.00 USD per kilogram, which is isolated from the main analysis due to its outlier nature.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The non-anomalous sub-codes can be grouped into two main categories based on unit price and product description. First, higher-value protein concentrates like those under 21061090 and 21061010, with unit prices around 13.80 to 20.06 USD per kilogram, represent more processed, value-added goods. Second, the majority fall into lower-priced general food preparations, such as 21069020 and 21069050, priced between 1.03 and 2.18 USD per kilogram, indicating a trade in more fungible, bulk commodities rather than highly differentiated products.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

This structure implies that market players in Botswana's HS Code 2106 import face limited pricing power in the dominant bulk segment, where competition is likely high. Strategic focus should shift towards the higher-value protein concentrates, which offer better margins and less price sensitivity. Analyzing HS Code 2106 trade data shows that diversifying into these specialized areas could enhance profitability and reduce dependency on volatile bulk markets.

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 Q3 2025, supplying 86.96% of the total import value. This share is slightly lower than its 95.78% share of total weight, indicating SOUTH AFRICA's shipments include a marginally higher proportion of finished, higher-value food items compared to bulk ingredients. The 91.09% frequency share confirms that nearly all import transactions originate from this single partner, creating a highly concentrated and potentially vulnerable supply chain for this category.

Origin Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The remaining suppliers form two distinct clusters. The first is a High-Yield cluster including the UNITED STATES, DENMARK, and ROMANIA. These partners have high value shares relative to their minimal weight contributions, signaling they ship small volumes of premium, high-cost food preparations. The second is a Volume cluster featuring ESWATINI, CHINA MAINLAND, and INDIA. These countries have higher weight shares compared to their value contributions, suggesting they primarily supply bulk ingredients or lower-value processed foods that form the base for further local manufacturing or packaging in Botswana.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Botswana's near-total reliance on SOUTH AFRICA for Food Preparations creates significant supply chain risk. Any disruption to cross-border trade would immediately impact availability. This aligns with recent data showing Food & Beverages as a major import category [Statsbots]. A strategic shift should prioritize developing the High-Yield cluster partners like the US and EU nations to diversify sourcing for premium products, while also exploring regional alternatives to SOUTH AFRICA for bulk items to build a more resilient supply base for HS Code 2106 goods.

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 Q3 2025, the Botswana Food Preparations import suppliers market is highly concentrated, with a small group of high-value, high-frequency suppliers dominating trade. According to yTrade data, these key suppliers handled 81.92% of the total import value, indicating that most business flows through a few reliable partners. The typical trade involves large, frequent shipments, with this group accounting for 75.47% of shipment frequency and 83.97% of quantity, underscoring their central role in supply chains.

Strategic Supplier Clusters and Trade Role

Beyond the dominant group, other clusters play niche roles: high-value, low-frequency suppliers contribute 12.86% of value through infrequent but large orders, while low-value groups handle smaller, often irregular shipments. The profile of HS code 2106 suppliers, led by entities like DIS CHEM DISTRIBUTION and CLOVER SA PTY LTD, points to a direct-to-factory sourcing model, where manufacturers or large distributors supply goods directly rather than through intermediaries. This suggests a mature, efficiency-driven supply structure with limited agent involvement.

Sourcing Strategy and Vulnerability

For Botswana importers, the heavy reliance on a few high-value suppliers offers cost efficiency but poses risks from supply disruptions or price volatility. Diversifying into high-value, low-frequency partners could mitigate dependency while maintaining volume. The scale of imports, reinforced by August 2025 data showing Food & Beverages imports at P1,207.3 million [statsbots.org.bw], confirms the strategic importance of securing stable, high-capacity suppliers to meet domestic demand.

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 into high-margin protein concentrates using hs code 2106 trade data to identify specific high-value sub-codes; this directly increases profitability by reducing reliance on low-margin bulk imports that dominate Botswana's Food Preparations Import.
• Develop new suppliers from the High-Yield cluster (e.g., US, EU) for premium products to diversify the Food Preparations supply chain; this mitigates extreme risk from relying on a single dominant partner for over 86% of imports.
• Analyze shipment frequency data from key high-value suppliers to build buffer stock and avoid shortages; this secures supply continuity for critical ingredients within Botswana's import-dependent manufacturing sector.
• Benchmark unit prices against the dominant sub-code (21069090 at $2.80/kg) for all bulk purchases; this ensures cost-competitiveness and prevents overpaying in the high-volume, low-margin segment of the hs code 2106 trade.
• Map secondary sourcing routes for bulk items through regional partners like Eswatini to complement South African supply; this builds resilience into the core Food Preparations supply chain against cross-border trade disruptions.

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 Q3?

The value of Botswana's Food Preparations imports fluctuated between 2.25M USD (July) and 2.66M USD (August), with unit prices swinging from $3.07/kg to $2.02/kg. This volatility reflects potential inventory adjustments or seasonal demand shifts in bulk food trade.

Q2. Who are the main origin countries of Botswana Food Preparations (HS Code 2106) 2025 Q3?

SOUTH AFRICA dominates with 86.96% of import value, followed by niche suppliers like the UNITED STATES and DENMARK (High-Yield cluster) and ESWATINI/CHINA (Volume cluster).

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

Price gaps stem from product specialization: bulk "Food preparations; n.e.c." (21069090 at $2.80/kg) vs. premium protein concentrates (e.g., 21061090 at $13.80–$20.06/kg). High-Yield partners ship costly, low-volume items.

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

Prioritize diversifying suppliers beyond SOUTH AFRICA (86.96% reliance) to mitigate risk, while targeting high-margin protein concentrates (13.80–20.06 USD/kg) over bulk commodities.

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

Suppliers of premium products (e.g., US/EU) have growth opportunities, while bulk traders must compete on price in a concentrated market dominated by high-volume South African shipments.

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

Imports are primarily standardized bulk ingredients (50.36% share under 21069090) for manufacturing or packaging, with smaller volumes of high-value concentrates for specialized applications.

Detailed Monthly Report

Botswana HS2106 Import Snapshot 2025 AUG

Botswana HS2106 Import Snapshot 2025 SEP