Botswana Portland Cement Import Market -- HS Code 2523 Trade Data & Price Trend (Q3 2025)

Botswana Portland Cement Import (HS 2523) Key Takeaways

Botswana's Portland Cement import market in Q3 2025 is dominated by low-cost bulk gray Portland cement (HS 25232900), accounting for over 95% of trade volume, with niche products like hydraulic cement priced significantly higher but minimal in volume. Import values declined steadily from July to September, reflecting weakening demand amid stable unit prices. The market is highly concentrated, with just two suppliers—DANGOTE CEMENT and PPC—controlling 99% of imports, creating severe supply chain vulnerability. Nearly 84% of imports originate from South Africa, leaving Botswana exposed to disruptions from its sole major supplier. This analysis, covering Q3 2025, is based on processed Customs data from the yTrade database.

Botswana Portland Cement Import (HS 2523) Background

What is HS Code 2523?

HS Code 2523 refers to Portland cement, a fundamental construction material used in infrastructure, residential, and commercial projects. Its global demand remains stable due to urbanization and industrialization, particularly in emerging markets. Botswana's reliance on imports for this product underscores its strategic importance in regional development.

Current Context and Strategic Position

The United States recently imposed a 37% additional duty on all imports from Botswana, effective April 2025 [Global Trade Alert]. This policy shift disrupts trade dynamics, particularly for Botswana's Portland cement import market, which relies on global supply chains. Given Botswana's limited domestic production capacity, monitoring HS Code 2523 trade data is critical to assess supply risks and identify alternative sourcing strategies. The country's role as a regional importer highlights the need for market vigilance amid evolving trade barriers.

Botswana Portland Cement Import (HS 2523) Price Trend

Key Observations

In Q3 2025, Botswana's Portland Cement import trend showed a notable decline, with total value dropping from $7.11 million in July to $5.90 million in September, while the unit price held steady at approximately $0.09 per kilogram, indicating stable pricing amid falling volumes.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The hs code 2523 value trend weakened through Q3, building on a peak in May and reflecting a broader slowdown in construction activity, possibly due to seasonal factors or economic headwinds. This decline aligns with potential macroeconomic pressures, such as those from the U.S. tariff increase on Botswana exports in April [Global Trade Alert], which may have constrained import demand. Sequentially, values fell month-over-month from July, underscoring a cautious market phase.

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 Q3 2025 is overwhelmingly focused on standard gray Portland cement (HS 25232900), which makes up over 95 percent of the value and weight shipped. This product trades at a unit price of $0.09 per kilogram, confirming its role as a high-volume, low-cost bulk commodity. An extreme price outlier exists for hydraulic cement (HS 25239000) at $1.34 per kilogram, which is treated separately due to its minimal volume and specialized nature.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The non-dominant segments of Botswana's HS Code 2523 import include cement clinkers as a basic raw material, white Portland cement for premium applications, and aluminous cement for specialized industrial uses. This breakdown shows that the trade is primarily in fungible bulk goods tied to commodity indices, with a small portion dedicated to differentiated, higher-grade products that command slightly higher prices.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

For importers, the dominance of standard cement under HS Code 2523 means low pricing power and a need to prioritize cost-effective sourcing and supply chain efficiency. Niche products like white or aluminous cement offer potential for better margins but require targeted market strategies due to their limited volume. Analysis of HS Code 2523 trade data suggests that success hinges on balancing volume-driven economics with selective high-value opportunities.

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

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Botswana Portland Cement Import (HS 2523) Origin Countries

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

Botswana's Portland Cement import market in Q3 2025 is overwhelmingly concentrated. South Africa is the dominant origin, supplying 83.65% of the total weight and 83.13% of the total value. The slightly lower value share compared to its weight share confirms this is a bulk commodity trade, where lower unit costs are prioritized over premium products. Namibia is the only other supplier, accounting for the remaining 16.35% of weight and 16.87% of value.

Origin Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The import profile for HS Code 2523 reveals a single, clear cluster: a Volume/Hub dynamic. Both South Africa and Namibia show nearly identical patterns where their weight and value shares are closely aligned. This indicates all imports are for bulk, standard-grade Portland Cement, driven by large-scale construction and infrastructure needs. The high weight volumes point to efficient land logistics and established supply chains from these neighboring countries, which are crucial for cost-effective transport of such a heavy, low-value product.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Botswana's cement supply chain faces a critical vulnerability due to its extreme reliance on a single source. Any disruption in South Africa—from industrial strikes to border delays—would immediately halt most construction activity in Botswana. The near-total lack of supplier diversification beyond one primary and one minor partner leaves no buffer for supply shocks. Forward strategy must prioritize finding alternative sources, even if at a higher logistical cost, to build resilience into this essential import pipeline for basic construction materials.

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

According to yTrade data, the Botswana Portland Cement import supplier market in 2025 Q3 is extremely concentrated. A single group of high-value, high-frequency suppliers holds 99.14% of the total import value and 98.87% of all shipments. The typical trade is a large-volume shipment from a major producer, with total imports reaching 179.83 million units valued at $19.16 million for the period.

Strategic Supplier Clusters and Trade Role

The dominant group consists of large-scale manufacturers like DANGOTE CEMENT SOUTH AFRICA PTY LTD and PPC. The profile of HS code 2523 suppliers indicates a direct-to-factory sourcing model, where Botswana relies on established industrial producers for its cement needs. The remaining clusters—low-value but frequent shippers and occasional small suppliers—combined account for less than 1% of import value, playing only a minor supplemental role in the market.

Sourcing Strategy and Vulnerability

Botswana's sourcing strategy is efficient but carries high dependency risk. Any disruption from the two primary South African suppliers would severely impact cement supply. The market's structure offers little opportunity for diversification within the current trade data. This risk is compounded by potential external policy shifts, such as the [United States of America: Administration increases to 37 percent the additional duty on all imports from Botswana effective 9 April 2025] (Global Trade Alert), which could indirectly affect trade costs and logistics even for imports.

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

Check Full Portland Cement Supplier lists

Action Plan for Portland Cement Market Operation and Expansion

• Diversify sourcing beyond South Africa by negotiating contracts with suppliers in Mozambique or Zambia, using hs code 2523 trade data to identify viable new partners, to mitigate the severe risk of supply chain disruption from a single origin.
• Build strategic buffer stocks of standard gray cement by monitoring buyer frequency patterns to anticipate demand cycles, ensuring continuous project timelines despite any volatility in the Botswana Portland Cement import market.
• Develop a targeted import strategy for high-value niche cements like white or aluminous types, leveraging trade data to identify specialized buyers, to capture better margins and reduce reliance on low-profit bulk commodities.
• Invest in supply chain visibility tools to track shipments in real-time from origin to border, strengthening the resilience of the Portland Cement supply chain against delays and logistical bottlenecks.
• Form a joint industry task force to collectively negotiate bulk rates with major suppliers, using aggregated import data to secure volume-based discounts and improve cost efficiency across the sector.

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 Q3?

Botswana's Portland Cement imports declined in Q3 2025, with total value dropping from $7.11 million in July to $5.90 million in September, likely due to seasonal or macroeconomic pressures. The steady unit price ($0.09/kg) suggests stable pricing amid falling demand.

Q2. Who are the main origin countries of Botswana Portland Cement (HS Code 2523) 2025 Q3?

South Africa dominates, supplying 83.65% of weight and 83.13% of value, followed by Namibia (16.35% weight, 16.87% value). The trade is heavily concentrated in bulk-grade cement from these two neighbors.

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

Price differences stem from product specialization: standard gray Portland cement trades at $0.09/kg (95% of volume), while niche hydraulic cement (HS 25239000) commands $1.34/kg but has minimal volume.

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

Prioritize cost-efficient bulk sourcing from dominant suppliers like Dangote Cement and PPC, while exploring niche products (e.g., white/aluminous cement) for higher margins—despite their limited availability.

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

South African suppliers hold near-monopoly power, but the market’s extreme concentration makes Botswana vulnerable to disruptions, creating opportunities for alternative suppliers to offer diversification.

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

Imports are primarily standard gray Portland cement for large-scale construction and infrastructure projects, reflecting Botswana’s reliance on bulk, low-cost commodities for industrial development.

Detailed Monthly Report

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