Botswana Frozen Beef Import Market -- HS Code 0202 Trade Data & Price Trend (Q1 2025)

Botswana Frozen Beef Import (HS 0202) Key Takeaways

Botswana’s frozen beef imports under HS code 0202 in Q1 2025 consisted entirely of bulk frozen, boneless cuts from South Africa, reflecting a commodity-driven market with no product diversification. The trade was dominated by a single supplier cluster, led by FAMOUS BRANDS MANAGEMENT COMPANY, creating high sourcing risk. Import activity was volatile, with zero shipments in January and February before a sharp rebound in March, likely due to tariff adjustments. This analysis is based on cleanly processed customs data from the yTrade database for 2025 Q1.

Botswana Frozen Beef Import (HS 0202) Background

What is HS Code 0202?

HS Code 0202 refers to "Meat of bovine animals, frozen," commonly known as frozen beef. This product is a staple in global food supply chains, serving industries such as retail, hospitality, and processed food manufacturing. Its demand remains stable due to its versatility, long shelf life, and role in protein-rich diets.

Current Context and Strategic Position

Botswana's frozen beef import landscape is shaped by recent tariff adjustments, as outlined in the 2025 customs schedule [BURS]. These changes could impact the cost and volume of HS Code 0202 trade data, requiring close monitoring. Botswana's reliance on frozen beef imports highlights its strategic importance for regional food security and trade balance. Market vigilance is essential to navigate potential shifts in supply chains and pricing dynamics.

Botswana Frozen Beef Import (HS 0202) Price Trend

Key Observations

Botswana's Frozen Beef import trend for Q1 2025 was characterized by a complete absence of activity in January and February, followed by a significant import of 2.17K USD in March at an average unit price of $28.68/kg. This resulted in a total quarterly value of 2.17K USD, driven solely by the March shipment.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The hs code 0202 value trend showed a sharp sequential rebound in March after two months of zero imports, suggesting a response to emerging market conditions. This volatility aligns with the implementation of new tariff schedules, as indicated by the BURS documentation released in early January [BURS], which may have prompted importers to adjust procurement timing amid regulatory changes. For Frozen Beef, such policy shifts often trigger inventory adjustments, as buyers seek to optimize costs before or after duty revisions, reflecting typical import cycle behavior in protein markets.

Botswana Frozen Beef Import (HS 0202) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

According to yTrade data, Botswana's import activities for HS Code 0202 in Q1 2025 were entirely concentrated in a single product: frozen, boneless cuts of bovine meat. This single sub-category accounted for the entire import value and weight for this period, indicating a market with no product diversification under this heading.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The entire import structure for Botswana's HS Code 0202 trade data consists of a single, bulk frozen commodity. This homogeneous product form—frozen and boneless—strongly suggests a trade in fungible, bulk commodities. The lack of any other forms, such as fresh or higher-value prepared cuts, points to an import market focused purely on basic, industrial-grade protein supply, with pricing likely tied to global commodity indices rather than brand or specific quality differentiation.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

The complete reliance on a single bulk commodity form means importers have minimal product-based pricing power. Their costs will be directly exposed to volatile global meat prices. The strategic focus for businesses analyzing HS Code 0202 imports into Botswana must be on securing volume-driven contracts and efficient logistics for frozen goods, rather than developing a diversified product portfolio.

Table: Botswana HS Code 0202) Breakdown Details (Source: yTrade)

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Botswana Frozen Beef Import (HS 0202) Origin Countries

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

Botswana's import of Frozen Beef in Q1 2025 came entirely from a single source. South Africa was the sole supplier, accounting for 100% of the total import value, weight, and shipment frequency. The equal shares across all metrics show a market for standard, bulk Frozen Beef without a significant premium or discount pricing structure for this trade flow.

Origin Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

No other supplier clusters exist for this product during this period. The complete reliance on South Africa means there are no separate groups of partners for high-value niche products, bulk volume, or high-frequency shipments. This indicates a highly streamlined and singular supply channel for Botswana's Frozen Beef imports.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Botswana's total dependency on South Africa for Frozen Beef creates a significant supply chain risk. Any disruption in South African production or export logistics would immediately halt all imports. A forward strategy must prioritize finding alternative suppliers to build a more resilient and diversified sourcing model for this essential food product.

Table: Botswana Frozen Beef (HS 0202) Top Origin Countries (Source: yTrade)

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Botswana Frozen Beef (HS 0202) Suppliers Analysis

Supplier Concentration and Dominance

In Q1 2025, the Botswana Frozen Beef import suppliers market shows extreme concentration. According to yTrade data, a single cluster handles all trade, with 100% shares in value, frequency, and quantity. This points to a market where one group dominates all imports, making it the typical trade pattern for this period.

Strategic Supplier Clusters and Trade Role

The other supplier clusters show no activity in this market. The dominant cluster's key player, FAMOUS BRANDS MANAGEMENT COMPANY, suggests an intermediated trade role. This means the market for HS code 0202 suppliers is likely managed through agents or traders, not direct producers. Such a setup is common for commodity goods like frozen beef.

Sourcing Strategy and Vulnerability

This high concentration creates a sourcing risk due to dependency on one supplier group. Importers should diversify to avoid supply disruptions. The recent tariff notes from BURS [BURS] highlight potential regulatory changes, urging closer monitoring of import costs and supplier relationships.

Table: Botswana Frozen Beef (HS 0202) Top Suppliers List (Source: yTrade)

Check Full Frozen Beef Supplier lists

Action Plan for Frozen Beef Market Operation and Expansion

• Diversify sourcing beyond South Africa using hs code 0202 trade data to identify new supplier clusters in approved markets like Brazil or Australia, reducing extreme geographic dependency and securing Botswana's Frozen Beef Import against regional supply shocks.
• Develop direct contracts with meat producers, bypassing intermediary traders identified in the data, to gain better pricing and improve transparency within the Frozen Beef supply chain.
• Use shipment frequency and volume data to negotiate long-term, volume-based contracts, locking in stable prices for this bulk commodity and insulating your operations from global price volatility.
• Analyze potential sub-categories under HS 0202 for future product diversification into higher-value cuts, moving beyond the current homogeneous bulk import model to capture better margins.

Take Action Now —— Explore Botswana Frozen Beef Import Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Botswana Frozen Beef Import 2025 Q1?

The complete absence of imports in January and February, followed by a sharp rebound in March, suggests importers adjusted procurement timing in response to new tariff regulations. This volatility reflects typical inventory optimization behavior in protein markets facing policy shifts.

Q2. Who are the main origin countries of Botswana Frozen Beef (HS Code 0202) 2025 Q1?

South Africa was the sole origin country, accounting for 100% of Botswana’s Frozen Beef imports by value, weight, and shipment frequency in Q1 2025.

Q3. Why does the unit price differ across origin countries of Botswana Frozen Beef Import?

No price differentials existed, as all imports were homogeneous frozen, boneless cuts—a bulk commodity with pricing tied to global indices rather than quality or origin variations.

Q4. What should importers in Botswana focus on when buying Frozen Beef?

Importers must prioritize diversifying suppliers to mitigate risks from total reliance on South Africa and a single dominant supplier cluster (FAMOUS BRANDS MANAGEMENT COMPANY).

Q5. What does this Botswana Frozen Beef import pattern mean for overseas suppliers?

South African suppliers benefit from exclusive access but face pressure to maintain uninterrupted supply, as Botswana has no alternative sources for Frozen Beef imports.

Q6. How is Frozen Beef typically used in this trade flow?

The bulk frozen, boneless form indicates industrial-grade protein supply, likely destined for further processing or wholesale distribution rather than premium retail segments.

Detailed Monthly Report

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Botswana HS0202 Import Snapshot 2025 MAR