Botswana Eases Vegetable Import Ban: Boost for Regional Trade and the Western Cape
Botswana has begun a phased approach to lifting its restrictions on vegetable imports, a move set to gradually restore trade flows. The relaxation of these measures is being implemented in two stages.
The first phase, which commenced in December 2024, covers a selection of vegetables, including turmeric, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, green peas, sweet corn, broccoli, and baby marrow. The second phase, scheduled to take effect from 1 April 2025, will broaden the scope of imports to include beetroot, onions, potatoes, tomatoes, garlic, ginger, and additional produce.
Impact on Trade and the Western Cape’s Role in Vegetable Exports
Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development, and Tourism, Dr. Ivan Meyer, welcomed the decision, emphasizing its significance for trade within the Southern African Customs Union (SACU). He noted that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) plays a crucial role in strengthening regional value chains and fostering export growth.
Meyer highlighted the Western Cape’s considerable contribution to vegetable exports to Botswana. In the final quarter of 2024, the province accounted for 37% (R3.3 million) of South Africa’s total exports to Botswana. For the products listed under Phase 1, the Western Cape’s share peaked at 63% in the third quarter of 2024 before adjusting to 55% in the fourth quarter.
With the upcoming expansion of imports under Phase 2, Meyer expects a further increase in South African exports, particularly from the Western Cape. He stressed the importance of fair trade among Southern African Development Community (SADC) partners and welcomed Botswana’s decision as a positive step. “Strengthening trade relations with our regional partners benefits all stakeholders,” he stated.
The policy shift aligns with the Western Cape Government’s Growth for Jobs initiative, which seeks to significantly boost the province’s export value, targeting R450 billion in goods and services (including tourism) by 2035. Meyer reaffirmed that expanding trade opportunities supports the province’s broader economic development goals, bringing it closer to achieving this ambitious target.
