Grains such as maize, rice, wheat, and sorghum, dominated food imports last year, accounting for P2.8 billion of the total food import bill of P14.7 billion in 2024, an increase from P2.1 billion in 2023.
Statistics Botswana figures show that the grains replaced beverages as the most imported item by value last year. According to the data, imports of beverages, which include different types of alcohol and bottled water, were estimated at P2.5 billion in 2024, down from P3.8 billion in 2023.
Another high-ticket item in the food import bill last year involved preparations of vegetables and fruits, which were valued at P1.3 billion, up from P1.1 billion in 2023.
Analysts have pointed out that government’s January 2022 decision to suspend horticultural imports had been undercut by the continued flow of processed vegetables and fruits. While for 2024, vegetable imports declined from P176 million in 2023 to P157.5 million in 2024, the continued growth in processed vegetables indicates the value gap for the local economy.
Other Statistics Botswana figures show that overall food imports reached P14.7 billion last year, up from about P14.1 billion in 2023. Analysts believe that while the increase could indicate a higher demand for imports from the local market, it is more likely linked to rising prices of the items being imported.
Grain prices in particular were on the increase last year due to the El Nino-linked drought which resulted in the driest conditions in 40-years in the region. The drought effect was also evident in that the highest increase in import values in the Stats Botswana figures was seen in meat and offals which rose 67% in 2024 to reach P200.6 million.
