Botswana Wheat Import Market -- HS Code 1001 Trade Data & Price Trend (Apr 2025)

Botswana Wheat Import (HS 1001) Key Takeaways

Botswana's wheat imports under HS Code 1001 in April 2025 were dominated by bulk consumption wheat, with Lithuania supplying 76% of shipments at a stable $0.36/kg, reflecting commodity-driven trade. The market saw a pullback from March’s peak to $4.75 million, likely impacted by new U.S. duties on Botswana exports. High supplier concentration—96% of imports handled by a few traders—creates supply chain risks, while negligible seed wheat volumes highlight reliance on undifferentiated bulk product. This analysis covers April 2025 and is based on cleanly processed customs data from the yTrade database.

Botswana Wheat Import (HS 1001) Background

What is HS Code 1001?

HS Code 1001 refers to wheat and meslin, a staple commodity used primarily in food production, animal feed, and industrial applications. Its global demand remains stable due to its essential role in bread, pasta, and other processed foods. Botswana's reliance on imports for this product underscores its significance in the domestic food supply chain.

Current Context and Strategic Position

The U.S. administration recently imposed a 37% additional duty on all imports from Botswana, effective April 2025 [Global Trade Alert]. This policy shift could disrupt Botswana's wheat import dynamics, particularly for HS Code 1001 trade data, as higher tariffs may redirect sourcing strategies. Botswana's strategic position as a net importer of wheat makes it vulnerable to global price fluctuations and trade policy changes. Monitoring these developments is critical to ensuring market stability and securing alternative supply routes.

Botswana Wheat Import (HS 1001) Price Trend

Key Observations

Botswana's wheat imports in April 2025 reached $4.75 million at a stable unit price of $0.36 per kilogram, marking a pullback from the previous month's peak but remaining elevated compared to early-year levels.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The hs code 1001 value trend exhibited strong sequential growth from January to March, with imports surging from $1.22 million to $5.97 million, likely driven by seasonal stock replenishment and steady demand for staple grains. However, April's decline to $4.75 million aligns with the U.S. administration's imposition of a 37% additional duty on all imports from Botswana, effective April 9, as reported by [Global Trade Alert], which may have heightened trade uncertainties and disrupted import flows (Global Trade Alert). This policy development introduces potential headwinds for future volumes amid broader trade policy adjustments outlined in recent USTR agendas.

Botswana Wheat Import (HS 1001) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

In April 2025, Botswana's import of wheat under HS Code 1001 is heavily concentrated in non-seed, non-durum wheat, which makes up almost the entire volume and value. According to yTrade data, the sub-code 10019900 for "Cereals; wheat and meslin, other than durum wheat, other than seed" accounts for over 99% of the weight and value, with a unit price of 0.36 USD per kilogram. The minor sub-codes for seed varieties have significantly higher unit prices but negligible shares, indicating a market focused on bulk consumption wheat rather than specialized seeds.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The remaining imports under HS Code 1001 can be grouped into two categories based on quality and use: seed wheat for planting, including both non-durum and durum types. These seed varieties command higher prices—around 1.03 to 1.20 USD per kilogram—due to their role in agriculture, but they represent a tiny fraction of total imports. This structure confirms that Botswana's trade in wheat is primarily for fungible bulk commodities, likely tied to global price indices, with a small, differentiated segment for higher-value seeds.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

For market players, the dominance of bulk wheat imports under HS Code 1001 suggests limited pricing power for buyers, as purchases are largely driven by commodity market fluctuations. Strategic focus should be on efficient sourcing and logistics for bulk supplies, while niche opportunities in seed imports require targeted relationships with specialized suppliers. Analysis of HS Code 1001 trade data highlights the need for cost management in Botswana's import strategy to mitigate price volatility.

Table: Botswana HS Code 1001) Breakdown Details (Source: yTrade)

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Botswana Wheat Import (HS 1001) Origin Countries

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

Lithuania is the dominant source for Botswana's Wheat imports in April 2025, accounting for over 76% of both value and weight shares. The nearly identical value and weight shares (76.04% vs. 76.36%) indicate that Wheat is traded in standard bulk form without significant price premiums or discounts. The high frequency share of 75.79% suggests regular shipments, which is typical for perishable goods like wheat to ensure freshness in Botswana's supply chain.

Origin Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The top origin countries form a volume cluster, with Lithuania as the primary hub, South Africa as a secondary supplier with 18-19% shares, and Poland contributing around 5%. All partners show proportional value and weight shares, reflecting bulk commodity trade patterns. Botswana likely sources Wheat from these countries due to their established agricultural export networks and reliable logistics, which support consistent food import needs under HS Code 1001.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Botswana's heavy dependence on Lithuania for Wheat imports highlights a supply chain vulnerability; diversifying sources to include more regional or global suppliers could reduce risks and enhance stability. While external trade policies like US duties on Botswana exports do not directly affect this import flow, ongoing monitoring of geopolitical and trade developments is advisable to safeguard Botswana's Wheat import strategy.

Table: Botswana Wheat (HS 1001) Top Origin Countries (Source: yTrade)

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Botswana Wheat (HS 1001) Suppliers Analysis

Supplier Concentration and Dominance

In April 2025, the Botswana Wheat Import suppliers market showed high concentration. According to yTrade data, suppliers with high value and high frequency dominated, accounting for 96.81% of the import value. The typical trade involved large, regular shipments, with these suppliers handling 96.32% of transaction frequency and 96.80% of quantity.

Strategic Supplier Clusters and Trade Role

The dominant cluster is characterized by trading companies like SEABOARD OVERSEAS TRADING, indicating an intermediated market where agents drive most transactions. The profile of HS code 1001 suppliers reveals that low-value, high-frequency players exist but contribute minimally, adding only 3.19% to value with smaller, occasional shipments. No other supplier types were active during this period.

Sourcing Strategy and Vulnerability

For Botswana, heavy reliance on a few high-volume traders simplifies logistics but increases vulnerability to supply disruptions. Strategic focus should include exploring alternative suppliers to reduce dependency. While external trade policies like US duties on Botswana exports may create broader economic pressures, they do not directly impact Wheat import strategies for this period.

Table: Botswana Wheat (HS 1001) Top Suppliers List (Source: yTrade)

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Action Plan for Wheat Market Operation and Expansion

• Use hs code 1001 trade data to identify and qualify alternative bulk wheat suppliers beyond Lithuania, reducing Botswana's Wheat Import vulnerability to single-source disruptions and enhancing supply security.
• Leverage detailed trade records to negotiate better bulk pricing with high-frequency traders, as Botswana's Wheat Import strategy is heavily exposed to global commodity price fluctuations under this HS code.
• Monitor real-time shipping and supplier data for geopolitical or logistical risks in the Wheat supply chain, enabling proactive adjustments to import routes and avoiding cost spikes or delays.
• Develop targeted partnerships with specialized seed suppliers using niche trade data, creating a diversified sourcing portfolio that balances Botswana's bulk consumption needs with higher-margin agricultural inputs.

Take Action Now —— Explore Botswana Wheat Import Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Botswana's wheat imports declined to $4.75 million in April 2025 after a surge to $5.97 million in March, likely due to the U.S. imposing a 37% additional duty on all imports from Botswana, which disrupted trade flows.

Q2. Who are the main origin countries of Botswana Wheat (HS Code 1001) 2025 April?

Lithuania dominates Botswana's wheat imports with a 76% share, followed by South Africa (18-19%) and Poland (around 5%).

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

The price difference stems from the bulk commodity nature of non-seed wheat (sub-code 10019900, $0.36/kg) versus higher-priced seed varieties (sub-codes 10011100 and 10019100, $1.03-$1.20/kg), which are negligible in volume.

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

Importers should prioritize efficient bulk sourcing from dominant suppliers like SEABOARD OVERSEAS TRADING while exploring alternative suppliers to reduce reliance on Lithuania.

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

Suppliers in Lithuania and South Africa benefit from stable, high-volume demand, but niche seed wheat exporters must target specialized buyers due to minimal market share.

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

Botswana primarily imports bulk wheat for consumption (99% of volume), with negligible quantities of higher-value seed wheat for agricultural use.