Botswana exports fall by 10.1 billion pula
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Weekendpost
Botswana’s exports fell from 46 billion to 35.9 billion pula in the first seven months of 2026, while the trade deficit widened to 17.6 billion. Lower diamond sales accounted for most of the decline, according to Statistics Botswana data reported by Weekendpost.
Botswana’s exports fell by 10.1 billion pula in the first seven months of 2026, to 35.9 billion, compared with 46 billion in the same period of 2025, according to Statistics Botswana. The country recorded a trade deficit of 17.6 billion pula over the period, compared with 4.93 billion a year earlier.
The decline in diamond sales explains most of the fall in exports. Revenue decreased by 12.38 billion pula, from 34.25 billion to 21.87 billion. The mining producer price index also fell to 93.4 in the second quarter of 2026, from 107.1 in the first quarter, a decline of 12.9%. The diamond price index fell by 13.6%.
Imports increased by 2.63 billion pula year on year, to 53.56 billion. Diamond purchases rose from 6.4 billion to 10.9 billion pula, in part because Botswana imports rough stones from neighbouring countries to sort, value and cut before re-exporting them. Fuel was the second-largest import category, followed by machinery and electrical equipment, whose increase is linked to infrastructure and development projects.
Imports of vehicles and transport equipment, food products, beverages and tobacco, meanwhile, declined. This trend may reflect weaker domestic demand amid persistent inflation and the depreciation of the pula. The contraction in exports and widening trade deficit are adding to pressure on the country’s foreign exchange reserves.
Summary produced with the help of artificial intelligence tools, under AFREEQUE’s editorial responsibility.
