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

Botswana Petroleum Oils Import (HS 2710) Key Takeaways

Botswana's petroleum oils import (HS Code 2710) in August 2025 is dominated by bulk light oils priced under $0.90/kg, with South Africa supplying nearly half the volume, reflecting heavy reliance on a single regional hub. The market remains volatile, recovering slightly in value after a mid-year tariff shock, while unit prices hover near annual lows. Supplier concentration is extreme, with a handful of high-volume traders controlling 96% of imports, exposing Botswana to supply chain risks. This analysis, covering August 2025, 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) and preparations thereof, including refined fuels like gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. These products are critical for transportation, manufacturing, and energy sectors, driving consistent global demand due to their role in industrial and consumer economies. Botswana's petroleum oils import under this code reflects its reliance on refined fuels to meet domestic energy needs.

Current Context and Strategic Position

The U.S. administration recently imposed a 37% additional duty on all imports from Botswana, effective April 2025 [Global Trade Alert]. This policy shift underscores the need to monitor Botswana's petroleum oils import dynamics, as trade barriers could reshape supply chains and pricing. Botswana's strategic significance lies in its dependence on refined fuel imports to sustain its energy infrastructure, making HS Code 2710 trade data vital for assessing market resilience. Vigilance is essential to navigate potential disruptions in this critical trade flow.

Botswana Petroleum Oils Import (HS 2710) Price Trend

Key Observations

Botswana's petroleum oils imports for August 2025 reached $87.80 million USD, with a unit price of $0.83/kg. This represents a notable recovery in import value from the previous month, though the unit price remained near its lowest point for the year.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The Botswana Petroleum Oils Import trend showed significant volatility through 2025, heavily influenced by the U.S. administration's tariff increase to 37% on all imports from Botswana [Global Trade Alert] effective April 9. Following this policy shift, import volumes surged in April to 113.59M kg as buyers likely front-loaded shipments, driving unit prices down to $0.87/kg. Volumes then contracted sharply in May and June as the higher costs took effect. The rebound in August's import value, despite soft unit prices, suggests some market adaptation to the new tariff reality, possibly reflecting seasonal stockpiling or adjusted procurement strategies. The overall hs code 2710 value trend for the year remains under pressure from these increased trade barriers.

Botswana Petroleum Oils Import (HS 2710) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

Botswana's import of HS Code 2710 in August 2025 is heavily concentrated in two standard light oil products. According to yTrade data, the sub-code 27101230 holds a 54% value share and 54% weight share, with a unit price of $0.82 per kg. The sub-code 27101202 follows with a 40% value share and 42% weight share, priced at $0.78 per kg. These two codes form the core bulk import. Several niche, higher-priced products exist but are isolated from the main trade due to their small volumes and significantly higher unit prices, which range from $3.17 to $5.23 per kg.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The market structure shows a clear split between bulk commodities and specialized preparations. The dominant trade consists of standard light oils priced under $0.90 per kg, typical of fungible refinery products whose prices are linked to global oil indices. The remaining non-dominant imports are higher-value light oil preparations, with unit prices from $3.22 to $5.23 per kg, indicating possible specialty additives or specific industrial grades. This structure confirms that Botswana's HS Code 2710 import is primarily a bulk commodity market with a minor segment of differentiated products.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

For buyers in Botswana, this import structure implies very limited pricing power. The market is dominated by high-volume, low-margin products whose costs are driven by international crude prices and refining margins. Companies sourcing these bulk oils should focus on logistics efficiency and supplier reliability rather than negotiation. The niche high-value products offer some differentiation but represent a very small portion of Botswana's HS Code 2710 trade data, making them strategically secondary for most importers.

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 source for Botswana's Petroleum Oils imports in August 2025, accounting for 47.76% of the value and 45.04% of the weight. The value share slightly exceeds the weight share, indicating a preference for slightly higher-grade or refined petroleum products. The high frequency share of 55.01% suggests regular, frequent shipments, which is typical for energy supply chains to ensure steady availability.

Origin Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The import origins can be grouped into two clusters based on trade data for HS Code 2710. South Africa forms a high-value cluster due to its elevated value share relative to weight, pointing to imports of more processed petroleum. Malaysia, Italy, and Bahrain make up a volume cluster, with weight shares exceeding value shares, indicating bulk shipments of crude or lower-grade oil, likely driven by cost efficiency and logistical hubs.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Botswana's heavy reliance on South Africa for Petroleum Oils imports highlights a supply chain risk, necessitating strategies to diversify sources or secure long-term contracts to avoid disruptions. The balanced contributions from other partners like Oman and the UAE offer alternative options for stability. Monitoring trade policies, such as potential tariff changes, could inform future sourcing decisions, but current data shows no immediate shifts.

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

Get Complete Origin Countries Profile

Botswana Petroleum Oils (HS 2710) Suppliers Analysis

Supplier Concentration and Dominance

According to yTrade data, the Botswana Petroleum Oils import market in August 2025 is heavily concentrated. A small group of high-value, high-frequency suppliers accounts for 96.36% of the total import value and 87.13% of the shipment frequency. This indicates that the typical trade involves large, regular deliveries from key partners like PUMA ENERGY, which dominate the supply chain.

Strategic Supplier Clusters and Trade Role

The remaining supplier clusters have minimal impact, with the high-value, low-frequency group handling only 2.61% of value through infrequent, large shipments from entities like TOTSA. The low-value clusters contribute less than 1% of value, involving small, sporadic trades. The profile of HS code 2710 suppliers points to an intermediated market, where energy traders and agents control most of the flow, rather than direct producers or end-users.

Sourcing Strategy and Vulnerability

Botswana's heavy reliance on a few dominant suppliers for petroleum oils creates significant vulnerability to supply disruptions or price shifts. The sourcing strategy should prioritize diversifying suppliers to reduce dependency risks. Exploring alternative sources or negotiating backup agreements could enhance stability, given the commodity's critical role in the economy.

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 high-volume suppliers to reduce over-reliance on a few dominant partners and mitigate supply disruption risks for the Botswana Petroleum Oils Import market.
• Implement a price-hedging strategy tied to global crude oil indices for bulk standard-grade purchases, as the hs code 2710 trade data confirms these prices are commodity-driven, to protect against volatile input costs.
• Optimize the Petroleum Oils supply chain by prioritizing logistics efficiency and shipment frequency with key partners like South Africa, as this ensures steady inventory flow and minimizes storage costs for bulk imports.
• Analyze the niche, high-value product segment within the hs code 2710 trade data to explore potential specialty-grade imports for specific industrial uses, offering diversification beyond the standard bulk commodity market.
• Monitor trade policies and geopolitical factors affecting South Africa, the primary source for Botswana's Petroleum Oils Import, to proactively manage risks and avoid potential tariff impacts or supply chain bottlenecks.

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 August?

The rebound in import value reflects market adaptation to the U.S. tariff increase to 37%, which initially caused a surge in April followed by a sharp contraction. August's recovery suggests adjusted procurement strategies, though unit prices remain under pressure.

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

South Africa dominates with 47.76% of import value, followed by Malaysia, Italy, and Bahrain, which form a secondary volume cluster for bulk shipments.

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

Prices vary due to product specialization: South Africa supplies higher-grade refined oils, while others focus on bulk crude or lower-grade shipments at lower unit costs.

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

Importers should prioritize diversifying suppliers to reduce reliance on dominant players like PUMA ENERGY and secure logistics efficiency for bulk commodity purchases.

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

Suppliers from South Africa benefit from steady demand for refined products, while bulk-focused exporters must compete on cost efficiency due to Botswana's price-sensitive bulk market.

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

The imports are primarily standard light oils for bulk industrial or energy use, with minor volumes of high-value specialty oils likely for niche applications.