Botswana Portland Cement Import Market -- HS Code 2523 Trade Data & Price Trend (Feb 2025)

Botswana Portland Cement Import (HS 2523) Key Takeaways

Botswana’s Portland Cement imports under HS Code 2523 in February 2025 were dominated by standard-grade bulk cement, with South Africa supplying 87% of volume, highlighting heavy geographic reliance. The market showed strong momentum, with import value rising 8.5% month-over-month to $4.96 million, while unit prices held steady at $0.09/kg. Supplier concentration was extreme, with top manufacturers like Sephaku Cement controlling 98% of trade value, signaling high buyer dependency. This analysis is based on cleanly processed Customs data from the yTrade database for February 2025.

Botswana Portland Cement Import (HS 2523) Background

What is HS Code 2523?

HS Code 2523 refers to Portland cement, a hydraulic binding agent widely used in construction for its durability and strength. It is a critical input for infrastructure projects, residential buildings, and industrial facilities, driving consistent global demand. The product's standardized composition ensures its relevance across diverse markets, including Botswana's growing construction sector.

Current Context and Strategic Position

While no specific trade policy changes have been announced, Botswana's reliance on Portland cement imports underscores its vulnerability to global supply chain fluctuations and commodity price volatility. As a landlocked nation with limited domestic production capacity, Botswana's HS Code 2523 trade data reflects its dependence on stable import channels to meet infrastructure and housing demands. Monitoring these flows is essential to anticipate disruptions and align procurement strategies with market realities. The Botswana Portland cement import market remains a key indicator of both industrial activity and broader economic resilience.

Botswana Portland Cement Import (HS 2523) Price Trend

Key Observations

Botswana's Portland Cement imports in February 2025 reached a total value of $4.96 million, with a unit price holding steady at $0.09 per kilogram. This performance reflects a notable uptick in import activity compared to the previous month.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The Botswana Portland Cement Import trend showed clear momentum, with February's import value rising by 8.5% month-over-month from January’s $4.57 million. Volume also grew significantly, increasing by nearly 8% to 54.25 million kilograms. This sequential growth aligns with typical early-year construction and infrastructure cycles, as projects often ramp up following the start of the fiscal year. The stability in unit price suggests consistent supply conditions and competitive sourcing for hs code 2523, amid steady regional demand and logistical flows.

Botswana Portland Cement Import (HS 2523) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

According to yTrade data, Botswana's import of HS Code 2523 in February 2025 is overwhelmingly dominated by standard portland cement, specifically the "other than white" variety, which accounts for over 98% of both value and weight. This product has a unit price of 0.09 USD per kilogram, indicating a bulk, commodity-grade focus. A minor anomaly exists with a small volume of other hydraulic cement priced at 0.84 USD per kilogram, which is isolated from the main analysis due to its extreme price disparity.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The remaining non-anomalous imports under HS Code 2523 can be grouped into two categories: standard portland cements (including white cement at 0.11 USD per kilogram) and cement clinkers at 0.05 USD per kilogram, which represent a raw material stage. This structure suggests a trade in fungible bulk commodities, where products are largely undifferentiated and price-sensitive, typical for basic construction materials.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

For businesses involved in Botswana HS Code 2523 import, the high concentration in standard grades limits buyer pricing power, emphasizing cost efficiency and volume sourcing. Strategic focus should remain on mainstream products, with minimal investment in niche varieties given their negligible market share. Analyzing HS Code 2523 trade data confirms that competitiveness hinges on logistics and scale rather than product differentiation.

Table: Botswana HS Code 2523) Breakdown Details (Source: yTrade)

Check Detailed HS Code 2523 Breakdown

Botswana Portland Cement Import (HS 2523) Origin Countries

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

South Africa was the dominant origin for Botswana's Portland Cement imports in February 2025, supplying over 87% of the total weight. This high-volume trade is characteristic of a bulk commodity. The value share (84.3%) is slightly lower than the weight share (86.64%), indicating the imports are primarily standard-grade cement traded in large quantities, not premium products. South Africa's role is defined by its massive volume and proximity, making it a critical bulk supplier for Botswana's construction sector.

Origin Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The trade data reveals two distinct sourcing clusters. South Africa forms a "Volume/Hub Cluster," defined by its overwhelming share of physical tonnage. This points to its established role as a regional logistics and production hub, efficiently moving bulk construction materials across the border. Namibia represents a smaller, secondary "Volume Cluster." Its presence is also driven by geographic proximity, providing an alternative, though much smaller, source of bulk cement to southern regions of Botswana, aiding in logistical flexibility.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Botswana's cement supply chain is highly dependent on a single origin, creating a significant concentration risk. Any disruption in South Africa, from industrial strikes to transport delays, would immediately impact construction projects in Botswana. The strategic implication is a clear need for supply chain diversification. Developing the smaller supply route from Namibia or identifying other regional partners could mitigate this risk. With no specific trade news or policy announced, this reliance on a dominant neighbor remains the central feature of Botswana's Portland Cement import strategy.

Table: Botswana Portland Cement (HS 2523) Top Origin Countries (Source: yTrade)

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Botswana Portland Cement (HS 2523) Suppliers Analysis

Supplier Concentration and Dominance

In February 2025, the Botswana Portland Cement import suppliers market is highly concentrated. According to yTrade data, high-value, high-frequency suppliers account for 98.08% of the import value and 97.22% of shipment frequency. The typical trade involves large, regular shipments from a small group of key players, defining the market's core activity.

Strategic Supplier Clusters and Trade Role

The remaining supplier clusters have minimal impact, with low-value, high-frequency and low-value, low-frequency groups together contributing less than 2% to value. The dominant suppliers, such as SEPHAKU CEMENT and AFRISAM CEMENT, are manufacturers, indicating a direct-to-factory commercial persona for HS code 2523. This suggests that imports are sourced directly from production facilities rather than through intermediaries.

Sourcing Strategy and Vulnerability

For Botswana, this supplier structure implies a strategic focus on maintaining strong relationships with a few large manufacturers to ensure steady supply. The high reliance on dominant suppliers creates vulnerability to production delays or price changes. Diversifying sources among the smaller clusters could reduce risk, but the current model prioritizes efficiency and volume.

Table: Botswana Portland Cement (HS 2523) Top Suppliers List (Source: yTrade)

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Action Plan for Portland Cement Market Operation and Expansion

• Use hs code 2523 trade data to identify and qualify alternative suppliers in Namibia and other regional markets to diversify Botswana's Portland Cement Import sources, reducing over-reliance on South Africa and mitigating supply disruption risks.
• Monitor shipment frequency and volume from dominant suppliers like SEPHAKU CEMENT to anticipate stock cycles and optimize inventory levels, ensuring cost efficiency and avoiding overstock in Botswana's commodity-grade import segment.
• Analyze unit price trends within hs code 2523 trade data to negotiate bulk purchase agreements with key manufacturers, securing favorable terms for standard portland cement and maintaining competitiveness in a price-sensitive market.
• Develop contingency logistics plans for the Portland Cement supply chain by mapping transport routes from secondary origins like Namibia, ensuring operational flexibility and minimal downtime during regional disruptions.
• Leverage trade data to build direct relationships with high-value, high-frequency suppliers, streamlining procurement for Botswana's Portland Cement Import and reinforcing supply chain stability through trusted partnerships.

Take Action Now —— Explore Botswana Portland Cement Import Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Botswana Portland Cement Import 2025 February?

Botswana's Portland Cement imports grew 8.5% in value and 8% in volume month-over-month, reflecting early-year construction demand. The stable $0.09/kg price indicates consistent bulk sourcing from dominant suppliers like South Africa.

Q2. Who are the main origin countries of Botswana Portland Cement (HS Code 2523) 2025 February?

South Africa supplied 87% of Botswana’s Portland Cement by weight, with Namibia as a minor secondary source. South Africa’s dominance stems from proximity and bulk logistics efficiency.

Q3. Why does the unit price differ across origin countries of Botswana Portland Cement Import?

Price differences arise from product grade: standard Portland cement trades at $0.09/kg, while niche hydraulic cement (0.84/kg) and clinkers (0.05/kg) skew averages. Bulk commodities dominate pricing.

Q4. What should importers in Botswana focus on when buying Portland Cement?

Importers should prioritize volume deals with key manufacturers like Sephaku Cement, given 98% supplier concentration. Diversifying sources (e.g., Namibia) could mitigate South Africa dependency risks.

Q5. What does this Botswana Portland Cement import pattern mean for overseas suppliers?

South African suppliers benefit from locked-in bulk demand, but smaller regional players (e.g., Namibia) have niche opportunities to expand as Botswana seeks supply chain resilience.

Q6. How is Portland Cement typically used in this trade flow?

Imported standard-grade cement fuels Botswana’s construction sector, traded as undifferentiated bulk material. Clinkers (raw material) suggest some local processing, but most imports are ready-use commodities.