Booze tops March imports

Alcoholic beverages topped the list of food imports in March, accounting for 18.7% of the P6.7 billion in goods brought into the country during that month. Statistics Botswana researchers noted that within the alcoholic beverages category, beer made from malt was the highest, followed by fermented beer. Alcohol sales were suspended indefinitely in the country on June 28, but ahead of that, Statistics Botswana suggested these were some of the high import items indicating stable demand amongst consumers despite the economic difficulties. After alcoholic beverages, Statistics Botswana researchers said cereals were a top import item, particularly maize (not seed), wheat and muslin. Other top food import items for March included preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk and pastry cooks’ products, as well as dairy products including eggs and preparations of fruits and vegetables. President Mokgweetsi Masisi and his ministers are leading an economy-wide effort to reduce the import bill by encouraging cluster projects to boost local production and value chains.