Onions and shallots market in Botswana

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, the onions and shallots market in Botswana expanded, with volume rising to 13,413 t in 2019. This growth was underpinned by horticultural development initiatives, including the establishment of Special Economic Zones (SEZA) to support production, and enhanced agricultural data collection for policy-making. However, in 2020, COVID-19 restrictions and a ban on imports of horticultural produce from South Africa disrupted the sector, contributing to a drop in domestic onion output to 7,858 t and a contraction in market volume.

By 2021, increased land ownership among women provided a base for horticulture, though limited availability of seeds suited to local conditions constrained production efficiency. The market then contracted sharply in 2022 to 4,586 t. This was primarily driven by the government's extension and expansion of the import ban on onions and other vegetables until 2025, which slashed imports to just 35 t, coupled with high inflation—peaking at 14.6%—that eroded consumer purchasing power.

In 2023, the market rebounded to 6,703 t as local farmers, responding to the import ban, increased onion production to meet 62.25% of national demand. The supply shortage pushed retail prices from P3-5 to P10-18 per kg. This period also saw agribusinesses like Senn Foods and Bolux emerge as leaders, focusing on sustainable local production to capture growing demand.

Production onions and shallots in Botswana

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of onions and shallots, 2017-2020

World map of production of onions and shallots, 2017-2020

After two consecutive years of growth, onion and shallot production in Botswana experienced a decline. In 2020, the country produced 7 858 tonnes, representing a 12.8% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production actually increased by 32.2%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 9.7%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 9 007 tonnes, while the most significant year-over-year increase occurred in 2018, with a jump of 33.2%.

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

Exports onions and shallots from Botswana

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2019, with a 6.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Botswana exported 0.4 tonnes of onions and shallots, marking a sharp decline of 83.6% from 2019. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2019 at 2 tonnes, and the largest increase happened in 2018, with a rise of 44.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Namibia was the primary export partner for Botswana in terms of volume, accounting for 100.0% of total exports.

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 this period. Export values dropped to their minimum in 2020 and climbed to their maximum in 2018, showing a 6.3-fold shift. In 2020, Botswana's export value for onions and shallots totaled 1 thousand US dollars, down by 83.1% year-over-year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 3 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in the same year, with a surge of 98.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Namibia effectively dominated Botswana's onion and shallot exports in value terms, holding a 100.0% share of total flows.

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

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

Imports onions and shallots to Botswana

Imports in kind, t

Onion and shallot imports into Botswana increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 4 723 tonnes, which is 7.2% higher than the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 9.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.2%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 4 049 tonnes, where the largest decline of 22.3% occurred. The most significant increase happened in 2019, with a rise of 8.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa was the main source of onion and shallot imports to Botswana in volume terms, accounting for 99.9% of total imports.

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

Botswana imported onions and shallots worth 1 891 thousand US dollars in 2020, showing a modest increase of 1.2% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 5.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.8%. The minimum import value was recorded in 2019 at 1 868 thousand US dollars, while the maximum was in 2018 at 2 390 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 21.8%, and the largest increase was in 2018, with a rise of 19.9%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, South Africa was the key partner for Botswana's onion and shallot imports in value terms, accounting for 100.0% of total flows.

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

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