Botswana announced last week that it will once again allow South African vegetables across the country’s borders, meaning that Botswana’s residents will be able to pay cheaper prices for vegetables in the coming months.
Botswana’s Ministry of Lands and Agriculture has indicated that the process will take place in phases, subject to further negotiations with its local and other stakeholders.
The ministry has indicated that all import restrictions on vegetables such as pattypans, pumpkins, sweet corn, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, peas, mushrooms and other products will be lifted immediately.
A second phase will then follow, which will include vegetables such as beets, butternut squash, onions, potatoes and watermelon. It will be phased in gradually and will depend on needs and capacity by 1 April 2025. This is subject to a review that will include considerations from the Southern African Customs Authority.
Import restrictions will continue to be imposed if and when production of certain commodities is relatively high and more available in Botswana, and will include the needs and interests of various stakeholders.
Cheaper vegetables
According to Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist at Agbiz, residents of Botswana will now once again have access to high-quality vegetables and cheaper vegetables from South Africa.
“The new administration under President Duma Boko wants to ensure that the people of Botswana have access to high-quality agricultural and vegetable products.”
South African vegetable prices were 2.6% lower in November, with inflation on vegetable prices in Botswana reaching double digits. He says the announcement is indicative of the difficulties that households in Botswana have had to go through and that vegetables in that country may now be more affordable in the coming months.
Botswana first imposed a ban on the import of certain vegetables from South Africa in December 2021. In December 2023 the restrictions were extended for two years. The aim of the ban is to encourage the Botswana’s farmers to be more productive and so that the country will be less dependent on the import of various vegetable varieties.
