Maize flour and cereals market in Botswana

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, Botswana's maize flour and cereals market experienced shifts in production and trade. The Botswana Agricultural Marketing Board's contract farming initiatives helped stabilize local production initially, contributing to a market size of 154.7 thousand tonnes in 2018. Production rose to 160.8 thousand tonnes in 2019, expanding the market to 161.1 thousand tonnes. However, in 2020, the government's 'Feed Botswana first' policy restricted grain exports and imports to enhance food security, coinciding with a regional decline in cereal and legume production, which reduced output to 157.0 thousand tonnes and shrank the market to 151.6 thousand tonnes.

The market faced further volatility from 2021 to 2023. Drought conditions in Botswana and South Africa during 2022 damaged maize crops, slashing production to 147.5 thousand tonnes and contracting the market to 145.4 thousand tonnes, while highlighting dependence on South African imports. By 2023, production recovered to 155.0 thousand tonnes, and the market size grew to 149.4 thousand tonnes, supported by continued government trade restrictions aimed at boosting domestic self-sufficiency.

In 2024, trade data showed maize and cereals imports of 1.7 thousand tonnes and exports of 7.5 thousand tonnes, with no major regulatory changes reported, indicating a continuation of existing market patterns.

Production maize flour and cereals in Botswana

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of maize flour and cereals, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize flour and cereals, 2017-2020

Botswana's maize flour and cereals production volume declined after two years of growth. In 2020, the country produced 157.0 K t, marking a slight year-over-year decrease of 2.3%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 17.1%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 5.4%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 160.8 K t, with the largest annual increase occurring in 2018 at 11.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Botswana in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports maize flour and cereals from Botswana

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2020, with a 2.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Botswana exported 8 255 t of maize flour and cereals, reflecting a significant uptick of 151.9% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 3 277 t, with the largest decline occurring in 2019 at 36.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Botswana in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa played the leading role in exports in kind, accounting for 74.9% of total flows, while other markets together made up the remainder.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Botswana in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during the period. The lowest export value was noted in 2019, while the highest occurred in 2020, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 2.8 times. In 2020, maize flour and cereals exports from Botswana totaled 2 052 K $ US, showing a steep gain of 181.8% compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 728 K $ US, with the largest decline recorded in 2018 at 14.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Botswana in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, two leading markets—South Africa and Zimbabwe—together accounted for 81.5% of total exports in value terms, while the remaining volume was dispersed across a wide range of other countries.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Botswana in value, 2017-2020

Imports maize flour and cereals to Botswana

Imports in kind, t

Maize flour and cereals imports to Botswana declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Botswana imported 2 855 t, showing a substantial year-over-year fall of 20.5%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 61.7%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 27.4%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 10 388 t. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 65.4%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 39.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Botswana in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, maize flour and cereals imports to Botswana were supplied almost exclusively by South Africa, which absorbed 99.8% of total imports in kind.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Botswana in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Maize flour and cereals deliveries to Botswana declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 956 K $ US, amounting to a drop of 41.2% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 71.4%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 34.1%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 5 101 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 68.1%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 52.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Botswana in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, South Africa clearly dominated the list of suppliers of maize flour and cereals to Botswana, taking 99.8% of total imports in value terms.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Botswana in value, 2017-2020