Sucrose in solid form market in Botswana

Earlier Report Observations

Production of chemically pure sucrose in Botswana showed significant volatility from 2018 to 2023. Output fell to 50 747 t in 2019, then recovered to 63 544 t in 2020. A severe drought declared for the 2022/2023 agricultural season contributed to a sharp drop in production to 44 558 t in 2022. Recovery followed in 2023, with output reaching 57 074 t, supported by government relief measures for drought and household food security.

Imports played a key role in meeting domestic demand, surging to 11 929 t in 2021 and helping push the total market volume to a peak of 67 423 t. By 2023, however, imports plummeted to 2 594 t, coinciding with a 79% drop in the value of sucrose imports compared to the previous year. Regional trade dynamics persisted, with Botswana sourcing cane or beet sugar from Zimbabwe.

The sucrose market volume in Botswana fluctuated between 51 811 t in 2019 and 67 423 t in 2021, influenced by shifts in domestic production and import levels. Export prices were volatile, falling from US$0.62/kg in 2019 to US$0.44/kg in 2020 before recovering to US$0.54/kg in 2021. In July 2024, a customs duty decrease on sugar by the South African Revenue Service, from ZAR 0.14/kg to ZAR 0.109/kg, potentially affected regional trade access due to Botswana's SACU membership.

Production sucrose in solid form in Botswana

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of sucrose in solid form, 2017-2020

World map of production of sucrose in solid form, 2017-2020

Botswana produced 63 544 tons of solid sucrose in 2020, marking a 25.2% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 40.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 12.1%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 11.3%, while the most significant increase was recorded in 2018, with a 26.8% rise.

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

Exports sucrose in solid form from Botswana

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes showed considerable volatility during the observed period. The lowest point was in 2018, with just 0.3 tons exported, while the peak came in 2020 at 139 tons—a 436-fold difference. Compared to 2019, exports in 2020 were 100.4% higher. The largest decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 47.4%, while the most substantial increase was in 2019, soaring by 21 636.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa and the Democratic Republic of the Congo were the primary destinations for Botswana's sucrose exports, together accounting for 98.9% of total export volumes. The remaining share went to other markets.

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

Export values experienced significant fluctuations over the period. The lowest point was in 2018, at 1 000 US dollars, while the peak occurred in 2020, reaching 58 000 US dollars—an 81-fold gap. In 2020, exports surged by 74.6% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was in 2018, falling by 32.0%, while the most notable increase was in 2019, jumping by 4 564.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, South Africa and the Democratic Republic of the Congo dominated Botswana's export value structure, jointly representing 96.7% of total export flows. Other markets contributed only a small portion.

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

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

Imports sucrose in solid form to Botswana

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes displayed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. The lowest point was in 2018, with 168 tons, while the peak was in 2017—a 59-fold difference. In 2020, imports totaled 1 198 tons, showing a modest 5.6% increase from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018, plummeting by 98.3%, while the most significant increase was in 2019, rising by 575.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa was the dominant source for Botswana's sucrose imports, accounting for 82.2% of total import volumes. Other countries made up the remainder.

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

Import values showed noticeable fluctuations during the period. The lowest point was in 2018, at 240 000 US dollars, while the peak was in 2017—a 29-fold difference. In 2020, imports amounted to 679 000 US dollars, representing a solid 21.4% drop from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018, decreasing by 96.6%, while the most substantial increase was in 2019, growing by 259.7%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, South Africa dominated Botswana's import value structure, holding an 83.5% share of total import flows. Other markets had comparatively smaller shares.

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

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