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

Botswana Wheat Flour Import (HS 1101) Key Takeaways

Botswana’s Wheat Flour imports (HS Code 1101) in October 2025 show a commodity-grade market dominated by standard flour (11010090), with minor price variations reflecting basic differentiation rather than premium value. The market is stabilizing after mid-year volatility, with October’s rebound suggesting demand recovery and improved logistics. Supplier concentration is high, with a few producers like FOODCORP MILLING handling 95% of trade value, increasing supply chain vulnerability. South Africa supplies nearly all imports (96.58% value), highlighting heavy reliance on a single origin. This analysis covers October 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 extensively in food production, particularly for baking and processed foods. Its global demand remains stable due to its essential role in diets and industrial food manufacturing. Botswana's reliance on wheat flour imports underscores its significance in meeting domestic consumption needs.

Current Context and Strategic Position

Recent updates to Botswana's import customs guidelines highlight stricter documentation requirements for household goods, including non-diplomatic shipments [FIDI Global Alliance]. This policy shift may impact the efficiency of Botswana's wheat flour import processes, necessitating closer monitoring of trade flows. As a landlocked country with limited domestic wheat production, Botswana depends heavily on imports to sustain its food supply chain. Tracking HS Code 1101 trade data is critical to ensuring market stability and anticipating potential disruptions in this vital sector.

Botswana Wheat Flour Import (HS 1101) Price Trend

Key Observations

In October 2025, Botswana's wheat flour imports (HS code 1101) totaled $242.51K with a unit price of $0.65 per kg, marking a sequential increase in value from the previous month and reflecting stabilized import activity after mid-year fluctuations.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The Botswana Wheat Flour Import trend displayed high volatility in 2025, peaking in March at $1.35M due to a bulk shipment at reduced prices, likely influenced by the Harmonized Tariff Schedule revision that month [USITC]. This was followed by a normalization phase, with October's rebound in volume and value suggesting improved logistics or demand recovery, possibly aided by clearer customs procedures as indicated in recent guides (FIDI Global Alliance). The hs code 1101 value trend now shows signs of consolidation, aligning with typical post-harvest inventory adjustments in grain-based products.

Botswana Wheat Flour Import (HS 1101) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

In October 2025, Botswana's import of Wheat Flour under HS Code 1101 is heavily concentrated, with sub-code 11010090 for Wheat or meslin flour dominating the market. According to yTrade data, this sub-code accounts for over 57% of shipment frequency and about 32% of both value and weight shares, with a unit price of 0.64 USD per kilogram. This moderate price point positions it as the standard grade in the market, with no extreme price anomalies observed across the sub-codes.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The remaining sub-codes under HS Code 1101 can be grouped into two categories based on unit price: higher-grade flour, represented by sub-code 11010020 at 0.73 USD per kilogram, and lower-grade options like 11010010 and 11010030, averaging around 0.61 USD per kilogram. The narrow price range indicates that Wheat Flour is primarily a fungible commodity, with minor variations suggesting basic grade differentiation rather than significant value-added processing.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

For importers handling HS Code 1101 trade data in Botswana, pricing power is limited due to the commodity-like nature of the product. Strategic focus should be on cost efficiency and selecting appropriate grades to meet specific market demands, rather than relying on high differentiation for premium pricing.

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 dominant source for Botswana's Wheat Flour imports in October 2025, accounting for 96.58% of the value and 99.21% of the weight. The weight share slightly exceeds the value share, indicating bulk shipments of standard-grade Wheat Flour, likely for cost efficiency in food supply chains. With a high frequency share of 86.84%, imports from South Africa are regular and frequent, supporting steady availability for Botswana's market.

Origin Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The import origins form two clusters based on share profiles. South Africa represents a Volume Cluster, with overwhelming weight and value dominance, driven by geographic proximity and established trade routes that facilitate bulk transport. India, China Mainland, and Nigeria form a Transactional Cluster, with low volume shares (under 1% weight) but noticeable frequency (2.63-7.89%), suggesting occasional small shipments that may cater to niche demands or serve as backup sources for variety in Botswana's Wheat Flour supply.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Botswana's heavy reliance on South Africa for Wheat Flour imports poses a supply chain risk due to minimal diversification. To enhance stability, exploring alternative sources from regional or global suppliers could reduce dependency. The import customs context, such as guidelines from FIDI Global Alliance, may influence logistics but does not directly shift trade patterns for HS Code 1101 goods in this period.

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

Get Complete Origin Countries Profile

Botswana Wheat Flour (HS 1101) Suppliers Analysis

Supplier Concentration and Dominance

The Botswana Wheat Flour import suppliers market in October 2025 shows high concentration, with one group handling most of the trade. According to yTrade data, a core set of suppliers delivered 95% of the total value, with frequent shipments making up 63% of all imports. This points to a market where a few key players dominate the flow of goods, shaping the typical trade pattern for this period.

Strategic Supplier Clusters and Trade Role

The dominant suppliers, like FOODCORP MILLING, appear to be direct producers or manufacturers, suggesting a producer-driven market for hs code 1101. A smaller cluster of suppliers, such as wholesalers, contributes minimal value but higher frequency, indicating a secondary, intermediated role. This structure highlights a clear divide between bulk producers and smaller distributors in the supply chain.

Sourcing Strategy and Vulnerability

For importers in Botswana, this heavy reliance on a few producers increases vulnerability to supply shocks, urging a focus on diversification or backup plans. The import customs guidance from [FIDI Global Alliance] underscores potential regulatory complexities, making compliance a key part of sourcing strategy. A balanced approach, mixing direct deals with smaller suppliers, could mitigate risks and stabilize imports.

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 your supplier base beyond the dominant South African producers by using hs code 1101 trade data to identify and qualify smaller, reliable suppliers from the transactional cluster (e.g., India or Nigeria) to reduce supply chain risk and increase negotiation leverage for your Botswana Wheat Flour Import operations.
• Negotiate bulk purchase agreements with core producers like FOODCORP MILLING, leveraging shipment frequency and volume data from hs code 1101 trade data to secure better unit prices and ensure stable supply, as this directly lowers costs for your Wheat Flour supply chain.
• Monitor and compare unit prices across sub-codes (e.g., 11010020 for higher grade, 11010010 for lower grade) using real-time hs code 1101 trade data to select the most cost-effective flour grade for your specific product needs, optimizing spend without compromising quality in Botswana's Wheat Flour Import market.
• Develop a contingency plan for import compliance and logistics by reviewing guidelines like the FIDI Customs Guide, ensuring smooth customs clearance and avoiding delays that could disrupt your Wheat Flour supply chain, especially given the high reliance on frequent cross-border shipments.
• Explore regional or alternative sourcing options outside South Africa for niche or backup supply, using trade data to assess cost and feasibility, as this reduces over-dependency on a single origin and enhances overall resilience of Botswana's Wheat Flour Import strategy.

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 October?

The October 2025 rebound in value and volume reflects stabilized import activity after mid-year volatility, likely due to improved logistics or demand recovery, aligning with post-harvest inventory adjustments for grain-based products.

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

South Africa dominates, supplying 96.58% of the value and 99.21% of the weight. Minor contributions come from India, China Mainland, and Nigeria, each with under 1% weight share but higher frequency (2.63-7.89%).

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

Price differences stem from grade variations: higher-grade flour (e.g., sub-code 11010020 at $0.73/kg) versus lower-grade options (e.g., 11010010/11010030 at ~$0.61/kg), reflecting basic commodity differentiation.

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

Given high supplier concentration (95% value from a few producers), importers should prioritize cost efficiency, grade selection, and diversify sources to mitigate supply chain risks.

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

South African suppliers benefit from bulk dominance, while niche players (e.g., India, Nigeria) have limited but steady opportunities for small, frequent shipments catering to niche demands.

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

Wheat Flour is primarily a fungible commodity imported for food supply chains, with minor grade variations serving standard or niche market needs in Botswana.