Botswana Wheat Flour Import Market -- HS Code 1101 Trade Data & Price Trend (May 2025)

Botswana Wheat Flour Import (HS 1101) Key Takeaways

Botswana's wheat flour imports under HS Code 1101 in May 2025 were dominated by bulk-grade products, with 97.9% of volume concentrated among a few high-volume suppliers like SUNRICH, creating significant supply chain vulnerability. South Africa was the sole origin, highlighting extreme geographic dependency, while import values dropped sharply to $249K after a March spike, reflecting volatile demand cycles. This analysis covers May 2025 and is based on cleanly processed customs data from the yTrade database.

Botswana Wheat Flour Import (HS 1101) Background

What is HS Code 1101?

HS Code 1101 refers to wheat or meslin flour, a staple commodity used primarily in food production, including baked goods, pasta, and processed foods. Its global demand remains stable due to its essential role in diets and industrial food manufacturing. Botswana's wheat flour import under this code reflects its reliance on external sources to meet domestic consumption needs.

Current Context and Strategic Position

Global grain markets are poised for slight consumption growth in MY 2025/26, with corn exports rebounding after a projected decline [USDA]. This trend underscores the importance of monitoring Botswana's wheat flour import dynamics, particularly under HS Code 1101, to ensure supply chain resilience. As a landlocked nation with limited arable land, Botswana's strategic reliance on imports highlights the need for vigilant trade data analysis to navigate potential price volatility and policy shifts. The harmonized tariff schedule revisions (2025) further emphasize the evolving regulatory landscape for key commodities like wheat flour [USITC].

Botswana Wheat Flour Import (HS 1101) Price Trend

Key Observations

In May 2025, Botswana's wheat flour imports totaled $249.38K at a unit price of $0.65/kg, marking a continued decline from the elevated levels seen earlier in the year.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The Botswana Wheat Flour Import trend exhibited sharp fluctuations in the first half of 2025, with imports surging to $1.35M in March—a more than fourfold increase from February—likely driven by anticipatory stockpiling ahead of forecasted consumption growth, as noted in the [Grain and Feed Annual] report. This was followed by a sequential decline in April and May, with values dropping by over 80% from March, reflecting a return to baseline import patterns after the bulk purchase and potential inventory drawdowns. The hs code 1101 value trend highlights this volatility, with unit prices swinging from $0.51/kg in March to $0.74/kg in April before easing, indicating responsive adjustments to global market conditions and local demand cycles.

Botswana Wheat Flour Import (HS 1101) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

In May 2025, Botswana's import of Wheat Flour under HS Code 1101 is heavily concentrated in sub-code 11010030 for Wheat or meslin flour, which holds the largest shares by both weight and value, according to yTrade data. This sub-code has a unit price of 0.62 USD per kilogram, aligning closely with other major codes, indicating a focus on standard bulk imports. A notable anomaly is sub-code 11010090, with a significantly higher unit price of 1.16 USD per kilogram, suggesting a specialty or higher-grade product that is isolated from the primary analysis pool.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The core import structure for HS Code 1101 in Botswana consists of sub-codes 11010030, 11010010, and 11010020, all featuring Wheat or meslin flour with unit prices ranging from 0.60 to 0.63 USD per kilogram. This tight price clustering points to a market dominated by uniform, bulk commodities, where products are largely fungible and likely influenced by global agricultural indices rather than significant value-added differentiation.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

Analyzing HS Code 1101 trade data reveals that importers face low pricing power due to the commodity nature of these products, with costs driven by external market forces. For businesses involved in Botswana's HS Code 1101 import, the strategy should prioritize efficient logistics and supplier relationships to manage volatility, rather than attempting product differentiation.

Table: Botswana HS Code 1101) Breakdown Details (Source: yTrade)

Check Detailed HS Code 1101 Breakdown

Botswana Wheat Flour Import (HS 1101) Origin Countries

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

South Africa is the sole source for Botswana's Wheat Flour imports in May 2025, with a 100% share in value, weight, and frequency. This complete dependency means all imports come from this single origin, showing no disparity in trade metrics. The consistent ratios indicate uniform pricing and volume without signs of premium or bulk characteristics for this period.

Origin Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

With only one origin country, no distinct clusters exist for Wheat Flour imports to Botswana. South Africa's dominance is likely due to geographic proximity and established trade routes, which streamline logistics for staple food products like flour. This lack of diversification points to a concentrated supply chain with no other significant partners.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Botswana's reliance on South Africa for Wheat Flour imports poses a supply chain risk due to single-source dependency. To enhance stability, diversifying sources could reduce vulnerability to disruptions. The USDA Grain and Feed Annual report notes expected growth in grain consumption and exports in South Africa [USDA Grain and Feed Annual], which may support current supply but underscores the need for exploring alternative suppliers to safeguard Botswana's food security.

Table: Botswana Wheat Flour (HS 1101) Top Origin Countries (Source: yTrade)

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Botswana Wheat Flour (HS 1101) Suppliers Analysis

Supplier Concentration and Dominance

According to yTrade data, the Botswana Wheat Flour Import supplier market in May 2025 is highly concentrated. One group of suppliers, which ships frequently and in large volumes, dominates trade. This group accounts for 97.88% of the total import value and 99.20% of the quantity. The typical trade involves substantial, regular shipments.

Strategic Supplier Clusters and Trade Role

The dominant group's key companies, like SUNRICH and BESTBAKE PTY LTD, appear to be manufacturers or end-users. This suggests a direct-to-factory sourcing model for Botswana's wheat flour supply. A smaller cluster of suppliers, including JUST FLOUR and PREMIER FMCG PTY LTD, contributes minimal volume and value despite frequent shipments. The profile of HS code 1101 suppliers points to a market where bulk producers lead import activity.

Sourcing Strategy and Vulnerability

Botswana's heavy reliance on a few high-volume suppliers creates vulnerability to supply or price shocks. Strategic focus should include diversifying sources to mitigate this risk. The current structure supports a bulk purchasing model but lacks backup options. Importers should explore additional partners to ensure stable wheat flour supply.

Table: Botswana Wheat Flour (HS 1101) Top Suppliers List (Source: yTrade)

Check Full Wheat Flour Supplier lists

Action Plan for Wheat Flour Market Operation and Expansion

• Diversify import origins beyond South Africa using hs code 1101 trade data to identify new suppliers, reducing single-source dependency and securing Botswana's Wheat Flour supply chain against regional disruptions.
• Develop long-term contracts with top-volume suppliers like SUNRICH to lock in stable pricing, leveraging bulk purchase power to mitigate commodity price volatility in Botswana Wheat Flour Import.
• Monitor unit price anomalies (e.g., sub-code 11010090) to explore niche product opportunities, adding higher-margin offerings to the standard bulk-focused Wheat Flour supply chain.
• Build a backup supplier network from hs code 1101 trade data, targeting frequent shippers with smaller volumes to create optionality and reduce reliance on dominant players.
• Integrate logistics and inventory planning with shipment frequency data to optimize stock cycles, minimizing holding costs and preventing shortages in Botswana's Wheat Flour Import operations.

Take Action Now —— Explore Botswana Wheat Flour Import Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Botswana Wheat Flour Import 2025 May?

The sharp decline in imports to $249.38K in May follows a surge to $1.35M in March, reflecting a return to baseline after stockpiling. Volatility is tied to global market conditions and local demand cycles, with unit prices fluctuating between $0.51/kg and $0.74/kg.

Q2. Who are the main origin countries of Botswana Wheat Flour (HS Code 1101) 2025 May?

South Africa is the sole origin, accounting for 100% of Botswana’s wheat flour imports by value, weight, and shipment frequency.

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

The price difference stems from sub-code 11010090, a specialty product priced at $1.16/kg, while bulk flour (e.g., 11010030) averages $0.62/kg. Most imports are uniform bulk commodities.

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

Importers should prioritize diversifying suppliers beyond South Africa to mitigate single-source risk and secure stable pricing amid global commodity volatility.

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

South African suppliers dominate but face pressure to maintain consistent bulk supply. Niche producers could explore opportunities in Botswana’s limited high-grade segment.

Q6. How is Wheat Flour typically used in this trade flow?

Wheat flour imports are primarily bulk commodities for industrial or large-scale food production, given the dominance of uniform, low-differentiation products.