Botswana Sugar Import Market -- HS Code 1701 Trade Data & Price Trend (Aug 2025)

Botswana Sugar Import (HS 1701) Key Takeaways

Botswana's sugar imports (HS Code 1701) surged in August 2025, reaching $6.3 million as raw cane sugar dominated over 50% of trade, reflecting a commodity-driven market with limited pricing power. Supplier concentration is extreme, with just a few producers handling nearly all volume, increasing supply chain vulnerability. South Africa accounts for over 60% of imports, highlighting heavy regional dependence. This analysis, covering August 2025, is based on verified customs data from the yTrade database.

Botswana Sugar Import (HS 1701) Background

What is HS Code 1701?

HS Code 1701 refers to cane or beet sugar, a globally traded commodity essential for food production and industrial applications. Its demand is driven by the food and beverage industry, confectionery manufacturing, and household consumption, ensuring stable global trade volumes. Botswana’s sugar import under this code reflects its reliance on external suppliers to meet domestic needs.

Current Context and Strategic Position

Recent data highlights Tongaat Hulett (Botswana) as the leading importer of HS Code 1701, accounting for 61.66% of Botswana’s sugar imports [Tendata]. This underscores the concentrated nature of Botswana’s sugar import market, with a single player dominating trade flows. Strategic vigilance is critical, as shifts in supplier dynamics or global tariff adjustments—such as those noted in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule revisions—could impact pricing and availability (USITC). Monitoring Botswana’s sugar import trends under HS Code 1701 is vital for stakeholders navigating this tightly controlled market.

Botswana Sugar Import (HS 1701) Price Trend

Key Observations

Botswana's sugar imports (HS code 1701) surged in August 2025, reaching $6.3 million in value at an average unit price of $0.84 per kg. This represents a significant recovery in both volume and spending compared to the previous month.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The Botswana Sugar Import trend showed considerable volatility through 2025, with the hs code 1701 value trend swinging between $3.65 million in July and nearly $6.3 million in August. The March price spike to $0.95/kg coincided with tariff schedule revisions [Tendata], suggesting importers may have accelerated purchases ahead of potential policy changes. The subsequent July dip in both volume and value likely reflected market adjustment to new tariff conditions, followed by August's sharp rebound as supply chains normalized and seasonal demand picked up. This pattern reflects typical import cycles where policy announcements trigger short-term volatility before markets stabilize.

Botswana Sugar Import (HS 1701) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

According to yTrade data for August 2025, Botswana's import of HS Code 1701 is dominated by raw cane sugar, specifically the product described as "Sugars; cane sugar, raw, in solid form", which holds over 50% of both the value and weight shares. This sub-code has a unit price of 0.81 USD per kilogram, aligning with typical commodity pricing. A high-value anomaly is present for chemically pure sucrose with added flavoring, priced at 9.08 USD per kilogram, but it represents less than 0.1% of the volume and is isolated from the main analysis due to its niche nature.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The remaining imports under HS Code 1701 for Botswana consist primarily of bulk raw sugars, which can be grouped into two categories: raw cane sugars (including variations like other raw cane sugar) and raw beet sugar, all with unit prices between 0.83 and 0.84 USD per kilogram. A separate category includes chemically pure sucrose without additives, priced slightly higher at 0.90 USD per kilogram, suggesting a more refined grade. This structure indicates a trade in fungible commodities, likely influenced by global sugar market indices rather than significant product differentiation.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

For players involved in Botswana's HS Code 1701 import, the market's reliance on undifferentiated raw sugars implies limited pricing power, with costs driven by commodity fluctuations. Strategic focus should prioritize efficient sourcing and logistics to manage price volatility, while the minimal presence of higher-value products suggests potential opportunities for introducing more refined or specialty sugars to capture niche markets. Analysis of HS Code 1701 trade data reinforces the need for cost-conscious procurement strategies in this sector.

Table: Botswana HS Code 1701) Breakdown Details (Source: yTrade)

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Botswana Sugar Import (HS 1701) Origin Countries

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

South Africa is the dominant source for Botswana's Sugar imports in August 2025, holding over 60% share in value, weight, and frequency. The frequency share of 77.90% is significantly higher than the value and weight shares, indicating a pattern of high-frequency, small-scale shipments. This suggests that Sugar trade with South Africa involves frequent deliveries, likely to manage freshness or meet regular demand cycles, rather than bulk movements. Value and weight shares are closely aligned, pointing to standard, bulk-grade Sugar without significant premium pricing.

Origin Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The origins cluster into two main groups based on trade profiles. First, the Volume Suppliers—South Africa, Eswatini, and Zimbabwe—collectively account for high weight shares, driven by regional proximity that supports cost-effective bulk transport of Sugar. Second, South Africa alone forms a High-Frequency Cluster due to its disproportionate frequency share, reflecting tightly integrated supply chains or daily shipment schedules common for perishable goods like Sugar. Minor contributors like Mozambique, Brazil, and the UAE have negligible shares, indicating limited influence in Botswana's Sugar import market.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Botswana's heavy reliance on South Africa for Sugar imports, underscored by data showing Tongaat Hulett as a major importer [Tendata], creates supply chain vulnerability to disruptions. To mitigate risk, Botswana could diversify sourcing to include other regional players or explore new partners, ensuring stable access for HS Code 1701 trade. This approach would balance cost efficiency with resilience in Sugar supply chains.

Table: Botswana Sugar (HS 1701) Top Origin Countries (Source: yTrade)

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Botswana Sugar (HS 1701) Suppliers Analysis

Supplier Concentration and Dominance

The Botswana sugar import market in August 2025 shows high supplier concentration. According to yTrade data, a small set of high-value, high-frequency suppliers handles almost all the trade, with 98.73% of the value share. The typical Botswana Sugar Import suppliers deal in large volumes, as evidenced by the 99.83% quantity share and high total weight.

Strategic Supplier Clusters and Trade Role

The dominant HS code 1701 suppliers are sugar producers and associations, pointing to a direct sourcing model from major sugar regions. The low-value, high-frequency cluster has minimal influence, with only 1.27% value share from smaller companies. This structure highlights a market where bulk purchases from key producers drive trade, with little intermediation.

Sourcing Strategy and Vulnerability

Botswana's sugar imports rely heavily on a few suppliers, increasing vulnerability to supply shocks. Strategic focus should be on diversifying sources to mitigate risks. The dominance of Tongaat Hulett is supported by news from [Tendata], which notes their high import share, reinforcing the need for contingency planning in sourcing.

Table: Botswana Sugar (HS 1701) Top Suppliers List (Source: yTrade)

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Action Plan for Sugar Market Operation and Expansion

• Diversify your supplier base beyond South Africa using hs code 1701 trade data to identify new partners in Eswatini and Zimbabwe. This will mitigate supply chain risk for Botswana's Sugar Import market and protect against regional disruptions.
• Monitor global sugar indices and grade-specific pricing in the hs code 1701 trade data to time your bulk purchases. This strategy will help you capitalize on commodity price dips and directly lower your procurement costs.
• Analyze the high-value niche products within the hs code 1701 trade data to explore importing specialty or pre-refined sugars. This move can help you capture higher margins in Botswana's Sugar Import market and differentiate from standard bulk offerings.
• Optimize your Sugar supply chain logistics by modeling the high-frequency, small-shipment pattern from key suppliers. This approach will reduce warehousing costs and ensure consistent product availability for your operations.

Take Action Now —— Explore Botswana Sugar Import Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Botswana Sugar Import 2025 August?

The surge in August 2025 to $6.3 million reflects recovery from July’s dip, likely due to seasonal demand and stabilization after tariff-related volatility in March.

Q2. Who are the main origin countries of Botswana Sugar (HS Code 1701) 2025 August?

South Africa dominates with over 60% share, followed by Eswatini and Zimbabwe, which collectively handle bulk regional supply.

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

Prices cluster around $0.81–$0.90/kg for bulk raw sugars, with a niche chemically pure sucrose variant priced higher at $9.08/kg due to added flavoring.

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

Prioritize diversifying suppliers beyond South Africa to mitigate concentration risks, while exploring niche refined sugars for higher-margin opportunities.

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

Suppliers from South Africa benefit from tightly integrated trade, but minor players like Mozambique or Brazil face limited market penetration.

Q6. How is Sugar typically used in this trade flow?

Imports are primarily bulk raw sugars (cane/beet) for industrial or consumer use, with minimal high-value specialty products.