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

Botswana Petroleum Oils Import (HS 2710) Key Takeaways

Botswana's petroleum oils imports under HS Code 2710 in September 2025 were dominated by bulk light oils, with a small premium segment offering higher margins. The market showed declining value and volatility, driven by global oil price swings and trade policy shifts. Supply chain risks are high, with a few key suppliers like PUMA and VALIDUS ENERGY handling 95% of imports, while South Africa alone accounted for 57% of supply. This analysis, based on cleanly processed customs data from the yTrade database, highlights Botswana's exposure to concentrated trade flows amid uncertain market conditions.

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 category for refined fuel products used in transportation, manufacturing, and energy generation. These oils are essential for industries reliant on stable energy supplies, driving consistent global demand. Botswana’s production and export of these refined petroleum products play a role in regional energy markets.

Current Context and Strategic Position

The United States recently increased additional duties on Botswana's petroleum oils imports to 37%, effective April 2025 [Global Trade Alert]. This policy shift underscores the need to monitor HS Code 2710 trade data for impacts on Botswana’s export competitiveness. As a smaller producer, Botswana’s strategic significance lies in its ability to supply refined products to regional partners, making market vigilance crucial amid evolving trade barriers.

Botswana Petroleum Oils Import (HS 2710) Price Trend

Key Observations

In September 2025, Botswana's imports of Petroleum oils under HS code 2710 reached a value of $76.44 million USD, with an average unit price of $0.84 per kg. This represents a decrease from the previous month, reflecting ongoing volatility in the market.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The Botswana Petroleum oils Import trend showed significant fluctuations throughout 2025, with value peaking in April at $99.37 million before declining to September's level. The hs code 2710 value trend indicates a recovery in unit price from June's low of $0.83 per kg, though import volumes remained unstable, likely due to global oil price swings and trade policy impacts. The US administration's increase to 37% duties on all imports from Botswana, effective April 2025 [Global Trade Alert], may have exacerbated uncertainty, affecting supply chains and import strategies amid broader economic pressures.

Botswana Petroleum Oils Import (HS 2710) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

According to yTrade data, Botswana's HS Code 2710 import market for September 2025 is overwhelmingly dominated by a single product type: light petroleum oils. The sub-code 27101230 accounts for 57% of the total import value and 59% of the weight, establishing it as the clear market leader. This product is a bulk fuel, traded at a low and consistent unit price of $0.82 per kilogram, which is the benchmark for this commodity import.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The import structure reveals two distinct product tiers. The vast majority of trade, including sub-codes 27101202, 27101201, 27101207, and 27101235, consists of standard light oils with unit prices clustered tightly between $0.57 and $0.83 per kg. This confirms the market deals primarily in fungible bulk commodities. A smaller, separate tier of specialty petroleum preparations exists, including codes 27101252, 27101290, 27101280, 27101249, and 27101957. These products command a significant price premium, from $2.39 to $4.73 per kg, indicating they are higher-grade or specially formulated oils.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

This analysis of HS Code 2710 trade data shows importers have little pricing power for the core bulk product, as prices are likely set by global indices. The strategic focus for buyers should be on securing favorable supply contracts for the dominant light oil. The niche, high-value segment offers opportunities for suppliers of specialized formulations, but its small market share means it is not the primary driver of Botswana's import activities under this code.

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

Botswana's Petroleum oils import in September 2025 was heavily concentrated. South Africa was the dominant origin, supplying 57.05% of the total import value and 55.65% of the weight. The value share was slightly lower than the weight share, which points to imports of bulk, lower-grade petroleum oils rather than premium refined products. The extremely high shipment frequency from South Africa, at 63.82% of all transactions, confirms a pattern of frequent, smaller shipments to ensure a consistent supply flow for Botswana's energy needs.

Origin Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The import partners form three clear clusters. Oman is a volume hub, providing the second-largest share of weight (15.26%) and value (16.16%). A transactional cluster includes the UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait; these partners have moderate volume and value shares but notably higher frequency, suggesting they are used for flexible, just-in-time supply to meet variable demand. A final cluster of peripheral suppliers—Spain, India, Israel, and Italy—each holds minor shares under 3% for value and weight, indicating they are likely secondary or niche sources for specific petroleum oil variants.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Botswana's import strategy for HS Code 2710 shows a critical dependency on South Africa. This creates a significant supply chain risk from any disruption in that single corridor. The news about new U.S. tariffs on all imports from Botswana [globaltradealert.org] does not directly impact these specific petroleum trade routes, as the U.S. is not a major supplier. The forward-looking implication is clear: diversifying sourcing away from South Africa towards the established secondary partners, particularly the volume hub of Oman, is necessary to build a more resilient and secure supply chain for Botswana's Petroleum oils.

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

In September 2025, the Botswana petroleum oils import market is highly concentrated, with a small group of suppliers handling the bulk of trade. According to yTrade data, high-value, high-frequency suppliers dominate, accounting for 95.14% of the total import value. This means that most of Botswana's petroleum oils come from a few key players who ship regularly, defining the typical trade flow for this product.

Strategic Supplier Clusters and Trade Role

The dominant suppliers, such as PUMA and VALIDUS ENERGY NAMIBIA PROPRIETARY LIMITED, operate as energy traders, indicating an intermediated market where agents facilitate most transactions. Other clusters, like low-value or low-frequency groups, contribute minimally, with some involving spare parts or smaller energy firms. The profile of HS code 2710 suppliers points to a trade environment driven by specialized intermediaries rather than direct manufacturer relationships.

Sourcing Strategy and Vulnerability

Botswana's heavy reliance on a few high-value suppliers for petroleum oils imports creates significant vulnerability to supply disruptions or price shocks. Strategic focus should include diversifying sources to reduce dependence and exploring regional options for stability. This concentration risk is heightened by broader trade tensions, such as the US duty increase on imports from Botswana [Global Trade Alert], which could indirectly affect economic conditions and sourcing costs.

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

• Diversify import sources away from South Africa using hs code 2710 trade data to identify and qualify secondary suppliers in Oman and the UAE. This reduces critical supply chain vulnerability and ensures security for Botswana's Petroleum oils import.
• Negotiate long-term contracts for the dominant light oil sub-code (27101230) by benchmarking against the consistent $0.82/kg unit price. This locks in stable costs for the bulk of the Botswana Petroleum oils Import and mitigates exposure to global price volatility.
• Analyze the high-value, low-volume niche segment (e.g., 27101252) to target suppliers of specialty oils. This allows for premium product sourcing within the hs code 2710 trade data, capturing higher margins for specific industrial applications.
• Develop a contingency plan by mapping all high-frequency suppliers and their shipment routes. This ensures quick pivots during any disruption, maintaining the resilience of the entire Petroleum oils supply chain.

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 September?

Botswana's petroleum oils imports declined to $76.44 million in September 2025, reflecting volatility from global oil price swings and trade policy impacts like the U.S. tariff hike on Botswana goods.

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

South Africa dominates with 57.05% of import value, followed by Oman (16.16%) and a transactional cluster including the UAE, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia.

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

Prices vary due to product tiers: bulk light oils (e.g., sub-code 27101230 at $0.82/kg) dominate, while specialty oils (e.g., 27101252 at $2.39–$4.73/kg) command premiums.

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

Importers should prioritize securing bulk light oil contracts (57% of value) and diversify suppliers to reduce reliance on South Africa (57% share).

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

Suppliers of bulk oils (e.g., South Africa, Oman) have stable demand, while niche producers can target Botswana’s smaller high-value segment ($2.39–$4.73/kg).

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

Botswana primarily imports light petroleum oils (57% share) as bulk fuel for energy needs, with minor volumes of specialty oils for refined applications.