Botswana Posts P3.2 Billion Trade Deficit

Botswana recorded a trade deficit of P3.2 billion in May 2026, the country’s second-largest deficit of the year, according to Statistics Botswana. The largest deficit in 2026 was P4.4 billion in February. The agency’s International Merchandise Trade Statistics Monthly Digest – May 2026 shows that export earnings fell 22.4 percent, declining by P1.4 billion from the revised P6.2 billion recorded in April to P4.8 billion in May.

Statistics Botswana attributed the decline mainly to lower diamond and copper exports. “The fall was mainly driven by Diamonds and Copper exports, which fell by 23.1 percent (P856.0 million) and 27.9 percent (P477.9 million) correspondingly,” the report says. Diamonds remained Botswana’s leading export commodity, contributing 59.0 percent of total exports, followed by copper at 25.6 percent.

Machinery and Electrical Equipment ranked third, accounting for 5.6 percent or P270.6 million. Asia remained Botswana’s largest export destination, receiving 58.5 percent of total exports during the month under review. Diamonds and copper dominated exports to the region, accounting for 75.6 percent and 24.0 percent, respectively.

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“Top export destinations within Asia were the UAE and China which received 27.8 percent and 14.0 percent of total exports, respectively,” the report states. India followed with 12.9 percent or P623.5 million of total exports. Exports to the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) accounted for 15.0 percent or P724.6 million.

Machinery and Electrical Equipment and Diamonds contributed 32.4 percent and 32.1 percent of exports to the customs union, while Salt and Soda Ash accounted for 7.1 percent. South Africa remained the largest destination within SACU, receiving 11.0 percent or P529.6 million of Botswana’s total exports. The report also shows that total imports declined 4.1 percent to P8 billion in May from the revised P8.4 billion recorded in April. Statistics Botswana said the contraction was mainly driven by lower imports of Vehicles and Transport Equipment, which fell 67.2 percent or P915.2 million, and Machinery and Electrical Equipment, which declined 15.8 percent or P227.8 million.

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