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

Botswana Wheat Import (HS 1001) Key Takeaways

Botswana’s wheat imports under HS code 1001 in January 2025 were entirely concentrated in bulk, non-durum wheat for consumption, with a stable unit price of $0.35/kg reflecting steady global market conditions. The market is dominated by a few large trading firms, creating efficiency but also supply chain vulnerability, while over 70% of imports originate from South Africa, highlighting regional dependency. This analysis is based on cleanly processed Customs data from the yTrade database for January 2025.

Botswana Wheat Import (HS 1001) Background

What is HS Code 1001?

HS Code 1001 covers wheat and meslin, a staple commodity primarily used in food production, including bread, pasta, and animal feed. Its global demand remains stable due to its essential role in food security and industrial processing. Botswana's wheat imports under this code reflect its reliance on foreign supplies to meet domestic consumption needs.

Current Context and Strategic Position

The United States recently imposed a 37% additional duty on all imports from Botswana, effective April 2025 [Global Trade Alert]. While this policy does not target HS Code 1001 directly, it signals broader trade tensions that could influence Botswana's wheat import costs and sourcing strategies. Botswana's hs code 1001 trade data shows $14,209.74 in imports from June 2024 to May 2025, highlighting its dependence on external markets [Export Genius]. Given this vulnerability, monitoring Botswana's wheat import trends and tariff adjustments remains critical for stakeholders navigating this evolving trade landscape.

Botswana Wheat Import (HS 1001) Price Trend

Key Observations

In January 2025, Botswana's wheat imports under HS code 1001 recorded a value of 1.22 million USD, with a unit price of $0.35 per kg, indicating a stable entry into the year for this essential commodity.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The hs code 1001 value trend shows a solid foundation in early January, with the unit price reflecting current global wheat market conditions. This performance aligns with typical post-harvest inventory cycles, where importers often secure supplies to meet steady domestic demand, suggesting no immediate supply disruptions or price spikes at the start of the year.

External Context and Outlook

The Botswana Wheat Import trend is supported by a consistent policy framework, as the Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS) issued updated tariff notes for 2025 on January 1, which maintain existing customs structures without specific alterations for wheat [BURS]. This stability in trade policy, coupled with no reported disruptions, points to a predictable import environment for wheat in the near term, though global price fluctuations remain a watch point.

Botswana Wheat Import (HS 1001) HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

According to yTrade data, Botswana's import of HS Code 1001 in January 2025 was entirely concentrated in a single product: 'Cereals; wheat and meslin, other than durum wheat, other than seed' (HS 10019900). This sub-code accounted for the full import volume of 3.47 million kilograms, valued at $1.22 million, establishing a unit price of $0.35 per kilogram.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The import structure for Botswana's HS Code 1001 trade data reveals a market dealing exclusively in a basic, bulk commodity. This product is a non-durum wheat classified for consumption, not for sowing, indicating its role as a raw food or milling input. The singular, low-value nature of this trade confirms it is a fungible bulk good, with its price logic inherently tied to global agricultural commodity indices rather than brand or processing differentiation.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

For importers handling Botswana's HS Code 1001 import, this structure implies minimal pricing power. Buyers are price-takers in a competitive global market for undifferentiated wheat. Strategic focus must remain on securing cost-effective supply contracts and managing logistics, as value cannot be added through product specialization within this code.

Check Detailed HS Code 1001 Breakdown

Botswana Wheat Import (HS 1001) Origin Countries

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

SOUTH AFRICA is the dominant origin for Botswana's Wheat imports in January 2025, holding a 70.46% value share and 67.92% weight share. The value share slightly exceeds the weight share, indicating a preference for higher-grade or more processed Wheat variants. Frequency share is aligned at 68.04%, suggesting stable, regular shipments without high fragmentation.

Origin Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The origins form two clusters based on trade profiles. SOUTH AFRICA represents a balanced cluster with high value and volume, likely due to regional proximity and established trade routes for quality Wheat. RUSSIA falls into a volume-focused cluster with a 29.00% weight share but lower 26.92% value share, pointing to bulk, lower-cost Wheat imports. NAMIBIA has a minimal share under 3.09%, reflecting minor supplementary sourcing.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Botswana's heavy reliance on SOUTH AFRICA for Wheat imports poses supply chain risks, such as dependency on a single region. Diversifying sources, like increasing volumes from RUSSIA for cost-effective bulk Wheat, could enhance stability. No specific policy changes in January 2025 affect this trade, but ongoing monitoring is advised for any shifts.

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

Get Complete Origin Countries Profile

Action Plan for Wheat Market Operation and Expansion

Strategic Supply Chain Overview

The Botswana Wheat Import market is a pure commodity play. Its price is set by global agricultural indices and geopolitical events. Buyers have no pricing power.

The hs code 1001 trade data reveals extreme concentration. Supply comes from a few large trading firms. Over 90% of volume relies on just two companies. Geographically, South Africa dominates with over 70% of imports. This creates significant supply chain risk from regional disruption.

The entire Wheat supply chain is built for bulk efficiency, not resilience. It is vulnerable to shocks from its few suppliers and primary origin country.

Action Plan: Data-Driven Steps for Wheat Market Execution and Expansion

• Diversify import origins using hs code 1001 trade data. Analyze cost and freight data from Russia to increase bulk, lower-cost shipments. This reduces over-reliance on South Africa and mitigates regional supply risk.
• Identify and pre-qualify alternative bulk commodity traders. Use supplier frequency and volume data to build a backup list of global firms. This ensures continuity if relationships with dominant suppliers break down.
• Optimize logistics for bulk Wheat supply chain efficiency. Negotiate freight contracts based on historical shipment weight and frequency data. This controls the largest variable cost in moving this commodity.
• Monitor global wheat futures and SA political stability. Set alerts for price index fluctuations and regional news. This allows for proactive purchase timing to buy on price dips and avoid supply shocks.
• Audit inventory cycles against supplier shipment data. Match stock levels to the high-frequency shipping patterns of major traders. This prevents costly overstocking or understocking of this essential commodity.

Take Action Now —— Explore Botswana Wheat Import Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Botswana's wheat imports in January 2025 show stable demand and pricing, with a unit price of $0.35/kg, reflecting typical post-harvest inventory cycles and consistent global market conditions. No policy changes or disruptions were reported, indicating predictable trade flows.

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

South Africa dominates with 70.46% of import value, followed by Russia (26.92%) and Namibia (<3.09%). South Africa’s higher value share suggests a preference for quality or processed wheat.

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

Price differences stem from product grade: South Africa supplies higher-value wheat, while Russia focuses on bulk, lower-cost shipments. The sole imported sub-code (HS 10019900) confirms a bulk commodity market.

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

Importers must prioritize cost-efficient contracts with dominant trading firms like GRAINTRADE and SEABOARD, while mitigating risks from heavy reliance on South Africa by diversifying sources like Russia.

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

Suppliers like South Africa’s traders benefit from stable, high-volume demand, but Russia has room to expand as a bulk supplier. The market favors large intermediaries over direct producers.

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

The imported wheat (HS 10019900) is a non-durum bulk commodity for consumption or milling, not sowing, indicating its role as a raw food input or industrial milling material.