Botswana imported beer worth P58.8 million in May 2025, making it the single largest item in the country’s beverages, spirits, and vinegar category. The import surge positioned beer as a dominant product in the P165.1 million beverage import bill, accounting for 35.6 percent of all beverage imports during the month.

This rise in beer imports indicates both growing domestic demand for alcoholic beverages and possible shortfalls in local production. The broader category of beverages, spirits, and vinegar saw a 27.6 percent increase compared to April, when imports stood at P129.4 million. The upward trend suggests a combination of strong consumer appetite and seasonal supply adjustments as winter approached.

Besides beer, Botswana also imported P24.3 million worth of other fermented beverages such as cider, mead, and sake, comprising 14.7 percent of beverage imports. Sweetened and flavored waters, including aerated drinks excluding juices, followed closely with P21.4 million or 13 percent of the beverage category. Waters containing sugar or flavoring made up an additional P15 million, while wine, whisky, gin, vodka, and other spirits collectively contributed over P30 million to the total beverage import figure.

The beverage import increase was part of a broader rise in food and beverage imports, which grew by 19.2 percent in May to P1.26 billion, up from P1.05 billion in April. Within this context, the sharp uptick in beer and other alcoholic beverage imports may point to changes in consumer behavior, including a shift toward imported brands or disruptions in local supply chains.

The data also suggest that despite ongoing campaigns to promote local production in the food and beverage sector, Botswana remains heavily reliant on imports to satisfy its market demand, particularly in premium or specialized beverage segments.