Botswana Sweetened Beverages Import Market -- HS Code 2202 Trade Data & Price Trend (Sep 2025)

Botswana Sweetened Beverages Import (HS 2202) Key Takeaways

Botswana’s Sweetened Beverages Import under HS Code 2202 in September 2025 was dominated by low-cost flavored waters, with a sharp 49% month-on-month rebound in value as the market adapted to new U.S. tariffs. The trade is highly concentrated, with South Africa supplying 58% of imports and a handful of suppliers handling 94% of volume, creating supply chain risks. Re-imports from Botswana itself suggest inefficiencies, while niche premium products like non-alcoholic beer offer margin opportunities. This analysis, based on cleanly processed Customs data from the yTrade database, highlights a market recalibrating around bulk trade and geographic dependency.

Botswana Sweetened Beverages Import (HS 2202) Background

What is HS Code 2202?

HS Code 2202 covers waters and sweetened beverages, including carbonated and non-carbonated drinks with added sugars or sweeteners. These products are widely consumed globally, driven by demand from retail, hospitality, and food service industries. Their stable market presence reflects consistent consumer preferences and broad distribution channels.

Current Context and Strategic Position

On 2 April 2025, the U.S. increased additional duties on all imports from Botswana to 37%, potentially impacting trade flows [Global Trade Alert]. Botswana’s sweetened beverages import, valued at P1,207.3 million in August 2025, remains a key segment of its food and beverage trade [Stats Botswana]. Given this policy shift and Botswana’s reliance on imported beverages, monitoring HS Code 2202 trade data is critical to assess market resilience and sourcing strategies.

Botswana Sweetened Beverages Import (HS 2202) Price Trend

Key Observations

Botswana's Sweetened Beverages Import trend closed September 2025 with a total value of $9.12 million USD, marking a sharp sequential rebound. The unit price also firmed to $0.63/kg, up from $0.62/kg in August, as import volumes climbed to 14.43 million kg.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The hs code 2202 value trend was highly volatile through 2025, influenced directly by trade policy shifts. Volumes and values plunged in March, likely as importers accelerated shipments ahead of the U.S. Administration’s 37% tariff increase on all Botswana imports [Global Trade Alert], effective April 9. This was followed by a prolonged slump through mid-year as the new duties took hold. The strong recovery in September—with value up 49% month-on-month—suggests the market is adapting to the changed cost structure, possibly through supply chain reorganization or cost absorption. The overall trajectory reflects a market recalibrating to sustained higher import costs.

Botswana Sweetened Beverages Import (HS 2202) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

According to yTrade data on Botswana's HS Code 2202 import for September 2025, the market is dominated by flavored waters with added sugar, specifically under sub-code 22021010, which accounts for over half of the import value and quantity. This product has a low unit price of 0.65 USD per unit, indicating a high-volume, bulk trade specialization. An extreme price anomaly is present in non-alcoholic beer under sub-code 22029190, with a unit price of 12.91 USD per unit, which is isolated from the main analysis due to its outlier status.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The non-anomalous imports can be grouped into three categories based on product type and price. First, standard flavored waters (sub-codes 22021010 and 22021090) have unit prices ranging from 0.65 to 0.99 USD per unit, representing basic, low-cost items. Second, other non-alcoholic beverages (sub-codes 22029990 and 22029920) show similar low prices between 0.42 and 0.69 USD per unit, fitting a commodity-like bulk trade. Third, a mid-tier non-alcoholic beer (sub-code 22029120) has a higher unit price of 3.11 USD per unit, suggesting some differentiation but still within a competitive range. This structure points to a market primarily dealing in fungible bulk goods rather than highly differentiated products.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

The prevalence of low-priced bulk beverages under HS Code 2202 import into Botswana implies limited pricing power for most players, with competition likely driven by volume and cost efficiency. However, the presence of higher-priced items like non-alcoholic beer indicates niche opportunities for value-added products. Businesses should focus on optimizing supply chains for bulk items while exploring potential in premium segments to enhance margins, as shown in the HS Code 2202 trade data.

Table: Botswana HS Code 2202) Breakdown Details (Source: yTrade)

Check Detailed HS Code 2202 Breakdown

Botswana Sweetened Beverages Import (HS 2202) Origin Countries

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

In September 2025, Botswana's imports of Sweetened Beverages were highly concentrated, with South Africa as the dominant origin country. South Africa accounted for 57.97% of the import value and 50.57% of the quantity, indicating a preference for higher-grade or finished products, as the value share exceeds the quantity share. The frequency share was exceptionally high at 93.12%, suggesting frequent, small shipments typical for retail distribution of beverages to maintain freshness. Additionally, Botswana itself was a significant source with 37.31% value share and 46.42% quantity share, which points to re-importation of goods, likely due to returned products or inventory adjustments rather than external sourcing.

Origin Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The origin countries can be grouped into clusters based on their trade profiles. South Africa forms a transactional cluster with its very high frequency share, reflecting regular, small-lot shipments essential for meeting consumer demand in the beverage market. Botswana represents a volume cluster with high quantity share but lower value share, characteristic of re-imports involving bulk or lower-end products, possibly due to quality returns or supply chain reversals. Other countries like Austria, Switzerland, and Hungary have small shares but show value shares higher than quantity shares, indicating a high-yield cluster for niche premium imports, though their overall impact is minimal due to low volumes.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Botswana's heavy reliance on South Africa for Sweetened Beverages imports underscores a supply chain vulnerability that requires stability measures, such as securing long-term contracts or diversifying sources to mitigate risks. The re-importation from Botswana itself suggests potential inefficiencies in quality control or distribution that need addressing. According to [Botswana Food and Beverages Imports August 2025], Food and Beverages imports were substantial in August 2025, supporting the strong demand trend and highlighting the importance of monitoring HS Code 2202 trade data for future planning. Diversifying origins could reduce dependency and enhance supply chain resilience.

Table: Botswana Sweetened Beverages (HS 2202) Top Origin Countries (Source: yTrade)

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Botswana Sweetened Beverages (HS 2202) Suppliers Analysis

Supplier Concentration and Dominance

In September 2025, the Botswana sweetened beverages import suppliers market showed high concentration. According to yTrade data, a small group of high-value, high-frequency suppliers dominated, handling 93.79% of the total import value. This cluster also accounted for 94.45% of quantity and 79.55% of shipment frequency, defining the typical trade flow for these products.

Strategic Supplier Clusters and Trade Role

The remaining supplier groups played smaller roles. High-value, low-frequency suppliers contributed 4.71% of value but only 1.65% of frequency, while low-value clusters had minimal impact. The dominant suppliers, including names like NEW CLICKS SOUTH AFRICA PTY LTD and TWIZZA MIDDELBURG, suggest an intermediated market, where retailers or distributors drive most imports. The profile of HS code 2202 suppliers indicates a reliance on established trade channels rather than direct manufacturing links.

Sourcing Strategy and Vulnerability

Botswana's import strategy for sweetened beverages faces risk due to heavy reliance on a few key suppliers. Diversifying sources could reduce vulnerability to supply disruptions. [Stats Botswana] reported high food and beverages imports in August 2025, reinforcing the need for stable sourcing. Importers should explore alternative suppliers to balance cost and reliability.

Table: Botswana Sweetened Beverages (HS 2202) Top Suppliers List (Source: yTrade)

Check Full Sweetened Beverages Supplier lists

Action Plan for Sweetened Beverages Market Operation and Expansion

• Diversify your Botswana Sweetened Beverages Import sources beyond South Africa using hs code 2202 trade data to identify new suppliers, reducing reliance on a single origin and securing your Sweetened Beverages supply chain against disruptions.
• Develop a premium product line targeting niche segments like non-alcoholic beer, leveraging hs code 2202 trade data to assess specifications and pricing, enabling higher margins in a market dominated by low-cost bulk items.
• Optimize logistics for frequent, small shipments by analyzing shipment frequency in hs code 2202 trade data, ensuring freshness and reducing inventory costs within your Sweetened Beverages supply chain.
• Monitor and address re-imports from Botswana by tracking origin data in hs code 2202 trade data, identifying quality or distribution inefficiencies to minimize waste and cost in your import operations.

Take Action Now —— Explore Botswana Sweetened Beverages Import Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Botswana Sweetened Beverages Import 2025 September?

The sharp 49% month-on-month rebound in September 2025 reflects market adaptation to higher U.S. tariffs imposed in April, with importers reorganizing supply chains or absorbing costs. Volatility was exacerbated by pre-tariff stockpiling in March.

Q2. Who are the main origin countries of Botswana Sweetened Beverages (HS Code 2202) 2025 September?

South Africa dominated with 57.97% of import value and 50.57% of quantity, followed by Botswana itself (37.31% value share), likely due to re-imports. Other countries like Austria and Switzerland had minimal shares.

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

Price differences stem from product specialization: bulk flavored waters (e.g., sub-code 22021010 at $0.65/unit) dominate, while niche items like non-alcoholic beer (sub-code 22029120 at $3.11/unit) command premiums.

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

Importers should prioritize supply chain resilience by diversifying beyond the dominant South African suppliers (93.12% frequency share) and explore niche higher-margin products like non-alcoholic beer to balance bulk commodity trade.

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

Suppliers face a dual opportunity: high-volume demand for low-cost bulk beverages from dominant trade channels, and untapped potential for premium products given Botswana’s limited domestic differentiation.

Q6. How is Sweetened Beverages typically used in this trade flow?

The trade flow is retail-oriented, with frequent small shipments (93.12% frequency share for South Africa) ensuring freshness, while bulk re-imports from Botswana suggest inventory adjustments or quality returns.