RSA: Botswana Vegetable Importation Ban and Its Implications on Food Insecurity

26th Association for Food Scientists, Technologists and other Professionals (SAAFoST) Biennial International Congress and Exhibition

Unlocking Potential: Integrating Science and Innovation for a Brighter Food Future

Pretoria: 25-27 August 2025

https://www.saafost2025.org.za/

Introduction

In 2022, the Government of Botswana introduced a ban on vegetable imports, with the mandate of promoting local agricultural production, enhancing food self-sufficiency, and reducing vegetable imports for the economic benefit of Batswana. Despite the government's policies, plans, and programs to support food production and increase the food supply (including vegetables), vegetable production has been affected by inconsistent supply, shortages, and higher-than-usual prices, thereby impacting food security.

Methodology

This study relied on secondary data from journals and the grey literature, including organisational reports and newspaper articles, to assess the food security implications of the vegetable importation ban in Botswana. Further, a text-mining technique was applied to identify significant patterns in social media regarding the impact of the ban on food security. Content and thematic analysis were employed to analyse the data.

Results and Discussion

The Government of Botswana has imposed restrictions on the importation of staple vegetables such as tomatoes, carrots, beetroot, potatoes, cabbage, rape, and choumoellier, amongst others (International Trade Administration, 2024). While the ban stimulated growth in domestic farming, the findings show that the vegetable import ban has profound implications for food security, the quality and availability of vegetables, and their prices. Consumers' outcry of challenges such as elevated vegetable prices, short shelf life, poor quality and inconsistent supply. The scarcity of affordable produce has driven food inflation, with a 4.9% surge in vegetable prices contributing to a national inflation rate of 3.9% in August 2024. The findings illustrate that low-income households are the hardest hit. The catering sector, grocery stores and the informal business sector, including food street vendors, have been affected by the shortage of vegetables, leading to an economic strain and job losses.

Conclusions

Botswana's vegetable import ban has promoted local agriculture, but it has complicated various dimensions of food security. A balanced approach that supports domestic production while ensuring an affordable, accessible, and consistent supply is essential to ensure national and household food security.

Keywords: Food loss and waste, Food Insecurity, Sustainable food systems, Vegetable import restrictions

Poster presentation at the CSIR.