Botswana Petroleum Oils Import Market -- HS Code 2710 Trade Data & Price Trend (Apr 2025)

Botswana Petroleum Oils Import (HS 2710) Key Takeaways

Botswana's petroleum oils imports under HS Code 2710 surged 12% in April 2025 to $99.37M, driven by bulk purchases of low-grade light oils ($0.86/kg) ahead of new U.S. tariffs. The market is dominated by a handful of intermediaries, with South Africa supplying 45% of imports, creating supply chain risks. Premium-grade oils exist but remain niche, while importers prioritize cost efficiency in this commodity-driven trade. This analysis covers April 2025 and is based on processed customs data from the yTrade database.

Botswana Petroleum Oils Import (HS 2710) Background

What is HS Code 2710?

HS Code 2710 covers Petroleum oils (other than crude); preparations thereof, a critical commodity in global energy and industrial supply chains. These refined petroleum products are widely used in transportation, manufacturing, and power generation, driving consistent demand. Their trade dynamics are influenced by global oil prices, refining capacity, and regional energy policies.

Current Context and Strategic Position

The United States recently increased additional duties on all imports from Botswana to 37%, effective April 9, 2025 [Global Trade Alert]. This policy shift underscores the need to monitor Botswana's petroleum oils import flows under HS Code 2710, particularly for markets reliant on refined products. Botswana's role in this trade is strategic, as it serves as a regional supplier amid fluctuating global energy demands. Analyzing HS Code 2710 trade data is now essential to navigate these regulatory changes and assess competitive positioning. Market vigilance is critical to anticipate disruptions and identify opportunities in this evolving landscape.

Botswana Petroleum Oils Import (HS 2710) Price Trend

Key Observations

Botswana's petroleum oils import value surged to $99.37 million in April 2025, marking a significant 12% month-on-month increase from March. This growth occurred alongside a notable decline in the average import price, which fell to $0.87/kg, the lowest level observed in the four-month period. The timing of this price drop aligns closely with the U.S. administration's decision to impose a 37% additional duty on all imports from Botswana, effective April 9, 2025 [Global Trade Alert].

Price and Volume Dynamics

The hs code 2710 value trend shows consistent growth in import volumes, rising from 94.97 million kg in January to 113.59 million kg in April. This 14% sequential increase in weight suggests accelerated procurement activity, likely driven by importers seeking to secure shipments ahead of the tariff implementation. The Botswana Petroleum oils Import trend reflects typical market behavior where buyers increase volumes to mitigate future cost impacts from trade policy changes. While global crude oil prices remained relatively stable during this period, the specific price decline for Botswana imports appears directly linked to the new tariff structure, which effectively reduced the landed cost competitiveness of these shipments in the U.S. market (Global Trade Alert).

Botswana Petroleum Oils Import (HS 2710) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

In April 2025, Botswana's import activities under HS Code 2710 are dominated by low-priced petroleum light oils, specifically the sub-code 27101202 for light oils and preparations. According to yTrade data, this sub-code holds a 49% value share and 50% weight share of the total imports, with a unit price of $0.86 per kilogram. The trade is highly concentrated, as the top two sub-codes together account for over 90% of the value and weight. High-priced variants with unit prices above $2.90 per kilogram are present but isolated from the main bulk analysis due to their minor shares.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The non-anomalous sub-codes fall into two clear groups based on unit price and description. The first group consists of bulk light oils with low unit prices between $0.63 and $0.94 per kilogram, representing standardized, fungible commodities likely tied to global oil indices. The second group includes a small portion of non-light oils and higher-grade light oils with unit prices from $2.93 to $3.87 per kilogram, indicating specialized or premium products. This structure shows that Botswana's HS Code 2710 trade data primarily involves undifferentiated bulk commodities, with a minor segment of differentiated goods.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

For importers, the bulk nature of most petroleum oils under HS Code 2710 means low pricing power and a focus on cost-effective sourcing from stable suppliers. The presence of higher-priced oils suggests opportunities in niche markets, but strategic emphasis should remain on securing volume deals for the dominant low-grade imports. Analyzing HS Code 2710 trade data reveals that buyers must prioritize efficiency and reliability in their supply chains to manage this commodity-driven market.

Table: Botswana HS Code 2710) Breakdown Details (Source: yTrade)

Check Detailed HS Code 2710 Breakdown

Botswana Petroleum Oils Import (HS 2710) Origin Countries

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

SOUTH AFRICA is the dominant origin for Botswana's Petroleum oils imports in April 2025, holding a 43.42% share by weight. Its value share of 45.38% slightly exceeds the weight share, suggesting a preference for slightly higher-grade or refined petroleum products. The frequency share is high at 54.06%, indicating regular, frequent shipments, which is common for energy commodities to maintain steady supply chains.

Origin Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The origins cluster into two groups based on trade profiles. The Volume Cluster includes SOUTH AFRICA, OMAN, ITALY, and INDIA, with high weight and value shares, reflecting their role as bulk suppliers of petroleum oils, often from major production regions. The High-Frequency Cluster is led by SOUTH AFRICA alone, whose proximity to Botswana enables frequent deliveries, reducing inventory costs and ensuring reliable energy supply. Other countries like BAHRAIN and the UAE have smaller shares, possibly catering to specific refinery outputs or niche demands.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Botswana's heavy reliance on SOUTH AFRICA for Petroleum oils imports creates supply chain vulnerability to geopolitical or logistical disruptions. Diversifying sources to include partners like OMAN or INDIA could mitigate this risk and stabilize supply. Analyzing HS Code 2710 trade data shows that broadening the import base would enhance energy security for Botswana's market.

Table: Botswana Petroleum Oils (HS 2710) Top Origin Countries (Source: yTrade)

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Botswana Petroleum Oils (HS 2710) Suppliers Analysis

Supplier Concentration and Dominance

In April 2025, the Botswana petroleum oils import suppliers market shows high concentration. According to yTrade data, a small group of suppliers handling high-value and frequent shipments dominates, accounting for 96.29% of the total import value and 88.52% of transaction frequency. The typical trade involves large-scale movements, with this group managing 129.85 million units in quantity and 105.72 million in weight.

Strategic Supplier Clusters and Trade Role

The dominant suppliers, such as NAMCOR PETROLEUM TRADING, point to an intermediated market where trading firms facilitate most transactions. Other clusters play minor roles: high-value but infrequent suppliers like BP SOUTHERN AFRICA contribute 1.86% to value, while low-value groups have negligible impact. The profile of HS code 2710 suppliers confirms a trade structure driven by specialized intermediaries rather than direct producers.

Sourcing Strategy and Vulnerability

Botswana's heavy reliance on intermediated suppliers for petroleum oils imports creates vulnerability to supply chain disruptions. Strategic focus should prioritize diversifying sources or negotiating backup agreements to mitigate risks from supplier concentration. This approach is crucial given the market's dependence on a few key players.

Table: Botswana Petroleum Oils (HS 2710) Top Suppliers List (Source: yTrade)

Check Full Petroleum oils Supplier lists

Action Plan for Petroleum Oils Market Operation and Expansion

• Use HS code 2710 trade data to identify and qualify alternative bulk suppliers beyond the dominant intermediaries to diversify your sourcing base, as this reduces vulnerability to supply chain disruptions from a highly concentrated supplier pool.
• Analyze the unit price and description of sub-codes within the HS code 2710 trade data to separate bulk commodity purchases from premium-grade oils, enabling targeted negotiations and cost-effective procurement for Botswana's Petroleum oils Import.
• Diversify the geographic origins for your Petroleum oils supply chain by increasing import volumes from reliable bulk suppliers like OMAN and INDIA, mitigating the over-reliance on SOUTH AFRICA and enhancing supply security.
• Monitor transaction frequency and volume data from key suppliers to anticipate delivery schedules and manage inventory levels, ensuring a steady flow of product and preventing costly stockouts in Botswana's Petroleum oils Import market.

Take Action Now —— Explore Botswana Petroleum oils Import Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Botswana Petroleum oils Import 2025 April?

Botswana's petroleum oils import value surged 12% month-on-month to $99.37 million in April 2025, driven by accelerated procurement ahead of a 37% U.S. tariff on Botswana imports. The average import price dropped to $0.87/kg, the lowest in four months, as buyers prioritized volume to mitigate future cost impacts.

Q2. Who are the main origin countries of Botswana Petroleum oils (HS Code 2710) 2025 April?

South Africa dominates Botswana's imports, accounting for 45.38% of value and 43.42% of weight. Other key origins include Oman, Italy, and India, which form a bulk-supplier cluster with significant but smaller shares.

Q3. Why does the unit price differ across origin countries of Botswana Petroleum oils Import?

Price differences stem from product specialization: bulk light oils (e.g., sub-code 27101202) average $0.86/kg, while higher-grade oils (e.g., non-light variants) range from $2.93–$3.87/kg. South Africa’s slightly higher value-to-weight ratio suggests it supplies more refined products.

Q4. What should importers in Botswana focus on when buying Petroleum oils?

Importers should prioritize securing volume deals for low-grade bulk oils (90% of trade) while diversifying suppliers to reduce reliance on dominant intermediaries like NAMCOR, which control 96% of import value.

Q5. What does this Botswana Petroleum oils import pattern mean for overseas suppliers?

Suppliers from South Africa benefit from frequent, high-volume orders due to proximity, but niche producers (e.g., Bahrain, UAE) can target Botswana’s minor demand for premium oils priced above $2.90/kg.

Q6. How is Petroleum oils typically used in this trade flow?

Botswana’s imports are primarily undifferentiated bulk commodities (light oils) for energy or industrial use, with a small share of specialized higher-grade oils likely for refined applications.