Spinach market in Botswana

Earlier Report Observations

The spinach market in Botswana expanded significantly in 2019, with volume reaching 923 tonnes. This growth was followed by a contraction to 708 tonnes in 2020 as the government imposed a two-year ban on vegetable imports, including spinach, to promote domestic production. The restriction immediately reduced import volumes and contributed to periodic shortages, lowering overall market availability.

Under the import ban, local spinach production became the primary supply source, driving output up from 686 tonnes in 2020 to 773 tonnes in 2022. This increase in domestic harvests gradually lifted the total market volume to 781 tonnes by 2022, despite minimal imports. The policy effectively reshaped the market structure toward locally grown spinach while keeping consumer prices elevated.

In 2023, market volume eased to 743 tonnes as production dipped slightly. The government lifted the import ban in December of that year, aiming to restore vegetable inflows and curb food inflation. This policy reversal set the stage for renewed import competition and potential market adjustments in the following years.

Production spinach in Botswana

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of spinach, 2017-2020

World map of production of spinach, 2017-2020

Botswana's spinach production saw a two-year increase before declining. In 2020, the country produced 686 tonnes of spinach, marking a significant 22.9% drop from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 32.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.8%. The highest production volume was recorded in 2019 at 890 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 37.0%.

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

Exports spinach from Botswana

Exports in kind, kg

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Exports peaked in 2018 at 835 kg, then fell to their lowest point in 2020 at 59 kg, representing a 14.2-fold difference between these years. The 2020 export volume was 90.0% lower than in 2019. The largest annual increase occurred in 2018, with a jump of 339.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Botswana's spinach exports in volume terms were entirely dependent on Namibia, which accounted 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

Market performance exhibited noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports reached their peak in 2019 at 2.2 thousand US dollars, then dropped to a low of 0.2 thousand US dollars in 2020, a 13.2-fold difference. In 2020, spinach deliveries from Botswana amounted to 0.2 thousand US dollars, down 92.4% from the previous year. The largest annual increase was recorded in 2019 at 46.7%.

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

During 2017-2020, Namibia effectively monopolized Botswana's spinach exports in value terms, capturing 100.0% of total export 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 spinach to Botswana

Imports in kind, kg

After a two-year rise, Botswana's spinach imports from abroad declined. In 2020, import volume amounted to 21 723 kg, representing a dramatic 35.6% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 7.6%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 2.5%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 33 754 kg, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 57.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the structure of Botswana's spinach imports in volume terms was dominated by a single market: South Africa, which held a 100.0% share of total import 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, K $ US

Volatility characterized market behavior during these years. Imports varied by 3.2-fold from their low in 2017 to their peak in 2019. In 2020, Botswana imported 50.3 thousand US dollars worth of spinach, reflecting a sharp 58.1% decline from the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 120.0 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 123.7%.

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

During 2017-2020, South Africa effectively monopolized Botswana's spinach imports in value terms, accounting for 100.0% of total import flows.

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

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