Potato flour, flakes, granules and pellets market in Botswana

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2021, Botswana's market for potato flour, flakes, granules, and pellets grew from 3 048 t to 4 986 t. This expansion was driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, which highlighted vulnerabilities in food supply chains and prompted calls for increased local production. The government's encouragement to use indigenous raw materials and a ban on imports of horticultural produce from South Africa further stimulated domestic output, supported by a shift toward medium-scale farming.

Production fell sharply to 1 632 t in 2022, pulling the market volume down to 1 638 t, primarily due to climate-related challenges including high temperatures and rains that disrupted potato planting and harvests. Although large-scale producers like Silver Horizon expanded their farming area and the government continued import restrictions to promote self-sufficiency, these factors could not offset the weather-induced drop. In 2023, the market stabilized around 1 602 t as farmers faced ongoing adaptation hurdles, including limited land availability and climate variability.

Throughout the period, state policy consistently aimed at reducing import dependence. Import bans on potatoes and other vegetables were extended, and projects to expand blending and filling facilities were launched to strengthen local value chains. By 2023, domestic production was meeting approximately 70% of potato demand, reflecting a structural push toward greater food security despite annual production volatility.

Production potato flour, flakes, granules and pellets in Botswana

In kind, 2017-2020, t

On a global scale, Botswana ranked as the 26th largest producer of potato flour, flakes, granules, and pellets between 2017 and 2020.

Top producers of potato flour, flakes, granules and pellets, 2017-2020

World map of production of potato flour, flakes, granules and pellets, 2017-2020

Botswana's production of potato flour, flakes, granules, and pellets grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 4 352 tonnes, marking a dramatic 35.4% increase compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, overall production rose by 62.9%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 17.7%.

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

Exports potato flour, flakes, granules and pellets from Botswana

Exports in kind, kg

The export market for these products showed an unstable trend during this period. The lowest point was recorded in 2019, with exports of 224 kilograms, while the peak occurred in 2020 at 3 990 kilograms—an 18-fold difference. In 2020, exports surged by 1,683.5% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was observed in 2018, with a drop of 67.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Botswana in kind, 2017-2020, kg

Between 2017 and 2020, Zimbabwe and Namibia were the primary buyers of potato flour, flakes, granules, and pellets from Botswana, together accounting for 98.8% of total exports in volume. The remaining share was fragmented among other countries.

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, $ US

Export values displayed irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. The lowest point was in 2019 at 1 339 US dollars, while the high was in 2017, showing a 5.9-fold variation between these years. In 2020, Botswana's exports totaled 2 545 US dollars, a steep 90.1% increase from 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a decrease of 78.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Namibia and Zimbabwe formed a duopoly in export value terms, together representing 99.8% 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 potato flour, flakes, granules and pellets to Botswana

Imports in kind, kg

Import volumes experienced irregular changes, indicating a volatile market. The minimum was recorded in 2017, while the maximum occurred in 2019 at 48 914 kilograms, resulting in a 4.3-fold variation. In 2020, imports amounted to 25 429 kilograms, down by 48.0% year-over-year. The largest increase was in 2018, with a rise of 254.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Botswana in kind, 2017-2020, kg

During 2017–2020, the geographical pattern of imports in volume showed a strong dependence on South Africa, which accounted for 96.7% of total flows.

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, $ US

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. The lowest import value was in 2017, while the highest was in 2019 at 85 852 US dollars, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 2.6 times. In 2020, imported volumes reached 48 980 US dollars, a decrease of 42.9% compared to 2019. The largest increase was recorded in 2018, up by 135.7%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, South Africa remained the almost exclusive supplier of potato flour, flakes, granules, and pellets to Botswana, with a share of 96.0% 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