Botswana Sugar Import Market -- HS Code 1701 Trade Data & Price Trend (Q3 2025)

Botswana Sugar Import (HS 1701) Key Takeaways

Botswana's sugar imports under HS Code 1701 in Q3 2025 were dominated by raw cane sugar, accounting for 49% of the value, with bulk commodity pricing averaging $0.70–$0.97/kg. The market is highly concentrated, with top suppliers handling 96% of imports, primarily from South Africa (51% of value), reflecting deep regional reliance. Despite a July dip to $3.65M, August and September rebounded to $6M+, signaling resilient demand. This analysis, based on cleanly processed customs data from the yTrade database, covers Q3 2025.

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 processing, beverage production, and household consumption. Its demand remains stable due to its role as a staple sweetener across industries. Botswana's sugar exports, though modest, contribute to regional trade flows under this classification.

Current Context and Strategic Position

The U.S. administration increased additional duties on Botswana's sugar imports to 37% in April 2025 [Global Trade Alert], reflecting broader trade policy shifts under Executive Order 14257. This adjustment underscores the need to monitor HS Code 1701 trade data for impacts on Botswana's export competitiveness. As a niche supplier, Botswana's sugar trade faces heightened scrutiny amid these tariff revisions, necessitating vigilance for market participants.

Botswana Sugar Import (HS 1701) Price Trend

Key Observations

In Q3 2025, the Botswana Sugar Import trend for HS code 1701 reached a total value of $15.96 million, with unit prices ranging from $0.76 to $0.87 per kg, reflecting moderate volatility amid consistent import activity during the period.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The hs code 1701 value trend showed a significant monthly decline in July to $3.65 million, down from June's $5.92 million, likely due to seasonal demand adjustments or global sugar price fluctuations. However, August and September rebounds to $6.30 million and $6.01 million respectively indicate a quick recovery, supported by stable volume inflows that align with typical post-midyear inventory rebuilds in sugar markets. This resilience suggests underlying import demand remains robust despite external economic pressures.

Botswana Sugar Import (HS 1701) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

According to yTrade data for 2025 Q3, Botswana's import of HS Code 1701 is heavily concentrated in raw cane sugar, which accounts for nearly half of the total import value. The dominant product is raw cane sugar under HS Code 17011300, representing 49% of the total import value. A notable high-value outlier exists: flavored or colored chemically pure sucrose (HS Code 17019100) commands a unit price of $12.51 per kilogram, over 16 times higher than the average for raw sugars, and has been isolated from the main analysis due to its distinct market nature.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The import structure for Botswana's HS Code 1701 trade data reveals a bulk commodity market focused on raw and semi-processed sugars. Products are grouped into two clear categories: raw sugars (including cane and beet variants) and purified sucrose without additives. All major entries are fungible bulk goods with low unit prices between $0.70 and $0.97 per kilogram, indicating trade tied to commodity indices rather than branded or consumer-ready products.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

For importers handling Botswana's HS Code 1701 imports, pricing power is low due to the homogeneous nature of these bulk sugar commodities. Suppliers compete primarily on cost and logistics, not product differentiation. Strategic focus should remain on securing favorable bulk contracts and efficient supply chain management, as the market offers little opportunity for premium positioning outside the tiny niche of flavored specialty sugars.

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 Q3 2025, accounting for 51.1% of the total import value and 45.6% of the weight. The slightly higher value share compared to weight share points to a mix of standard and some higher-grade sugar shipments. This heavy reliance on one neighbor defines the trade structure for HS Code 1701.

Origin Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

Two clear partner clusters emerge beyond South Africa. Eswatini and Zimbabwe form a volume cluster, contributing a combined 36% of the import weight but a lower 36% of the value, indicating these are primary sources for bulk, raw sugar. The remaining countries, including Mozambique, India, and Brazil, form a transactional cluster. They have minimal weight and value shares but notable shipment frequency, suggesting smaller, more frequent deliveries of specialized sugar products to meet niche demand.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Botswana's sugar supply chain is deeply integrated with its immediate neighbors, particularly South Africa. This regional dependence ensures stable logistics and cost-effective land transport for a bulk commodity. The strategy should focus on maintaining these strong regional ties rather than seeking diversification, as the existing clusters provide both bulk supply and niche product availability efficiently. The minor role of distant suppliers like the US or China confirms that high transport costs make them uncompetitive for this commodity.

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

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Botswana Sugar (HS 1701) Suppliers Analysis

Supplier Concentration and Dominance

According to yTrade data, the market for Botswana's sugar imports in Q3 2025 is highly concentrated. A small group of high-value, high-frequency suppliers dominates, accounting for 96.38% of the total import value and 97.23% of the quantity. This indicates that the typical trade involves large, regular shipments from a few key players, ensuring steady supply but also highlighting reliance on these entities.

Strategic Supplier Clusters and Trade Role

The remaining supplier clusters contribute minimally, with low-value groups handling only small, infrequent shipments. The profile of HS code 1701 suppliers in the dominant cluster, including companies like ILLOVO SUGAR PTY LTD, suggests a direct-to-factory sourcing model, as these appear to be producers rather than intermediaries. This structure points to efficient, bulk transactions typical for commodity goods like sugar.

Sourcing Strategy and Vulnerability

For Botswana importers, the strategy should focus on nurturing relationships with dominant suppliers to secure stable supply, while monitoring for diversification opportunities in lower-tier clusters to mitigate over-reliance risks. External trade tensions, such as the US increasing duties on imports from Botswana [Global Trade Alert], underscore the importance of resilient sourcing amid potential global volatility.

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

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Action Plan for Sugar Market Operation and Expansion

• Negotiate long-term bulk contracts with dominant South African suppliers using hs code 1701 trade data to identify key partners, ensuring stable pricing and securing your share of the bulk commodity supply for Botswana's Sugar Import market.
• Prioritize logistics and transport efficiency from regional neighbors like South Africa and Eswatini to minimize costs and delays within your Sugar supply chain, as land routes are the most cost-effective for high-volume, low-value goods.
• Monitor the small but high-value niche for specialty sugars in the hs code 1701 trade data to identify opportunistic purchases, allowing for premium product offerings without disrupting core bulk sourcing strategies.
• Diversify minimally within the regional cluster by adding one supplier from Eswatini or Zimbabwe to your roster, mitigating over-reliance on any single source while maintaining the cost advantages of regional trade for Botswana's Sugar Import needs.
• Track global trade alerts for geopolitical risks that could impact regional suppliers or trigger tariff changes, enabling proactive contingency planning to protect the stability of your Sugar supply chain.

Take Action Now —— Explore Botswana Sugar Import Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Botswana Sugar Import 2025 Q3?

The Q3 2025 import trend showed a sharp July decline to $3.65 million, likely due to seasonal demand shifts, but rebounded in August and September to $6.30 million and $6.01 million, reflecting resilient bulk commodity demand despite price volatility.

Q2. Who are the main origin countries of Botswana Sugar (HS Code 1701) 2025 Q3?

South Africa dominates with 51.1% of import value, followed by Eswatini and Zimbabwe (combined 36% of weight), while niche suppliers like Mozambique and India handle smaller, specialized shipments.

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

Prices range from $0.70–$0.97/kg for bulk raw sugars (e.g., from Eswatini/Zimbabwe) to $12.51/kg for rare flavored sucrose (HS Code 17019100), which skews averages for transactional cluster suppliers.

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

Prioritize bulk contracts with dominant regional suppliers like South Africa for stability, while monitoring niche products from minor clusters for diversification.

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

Suppliers in South Africa and neighboring volume clusters have reliable bulk demand, while distant players (e.g., Brazil) face high transport costs, limiting competitiveness.

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

Botswana’s imports are primarily raw or semi-processed bulk sugars (e.g., HS Code 17011300), indicating industrial or refining use rather than consumer-ready products.

Detailed Monthly Report

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