The trade deficits reported for September and October last year, which are the last available official figures from Statistics Botswana, indicate a collective shortfall of P10.1 billion. Between both months, the single biggest factor has been the collapse in diamond exports, which fell from P5.2 billion in August to P2.5 billion in September and then P1.3 billion in October.
The economy’s principle commodity and traditional revenue anchor endured a trying 2023, as reflected in the trade balance figures. Consequently, a major knock is expected across other fiscal metrics, but the economy holds the promise of many other events worth following.
