Traceability and Logistics of Botswana Beef to Barcelona

A Farm-to-Boqueria Journey

The trade of high-quality beef between Botswana and the European Union is a prime example of a complex and rigorously regulated global supply chain. This document outlines the complete journey of a 500 kg consignment of refrigerated, noble beef cuts from a farm in the Ghanzi region to its final sale at a prestigious stall in Barcelona's Mercat de la Boqueria. The success of this operation hinges on three unwavering pillars: complete and transparent traceability, an uninterrupted cold chain, and strict regulatory compliance.

PHASE 1: Origin and Processing in Botswana

1. The Farm and the Farmer (Ghanzi Region)

Husbandry Practices: Cattle of the Brahman breed are raised in an extensive, free-roaming system, feeding on natural pastures in the Kalahari.
Initial Traceability: Each animal is identified with a dual ear tag registered in the Botswana Animal Traceability System (BITS), a centralized national database for individual tracking.
Certifications: The farm must be certified and located in a zone recognized by the EU as free of foot-and-mouth disease without vaccination and adhere to strict animal welfare standards.

2. Slaughter and Processing (EU-Certified Abattoir)

Ante-Mortem Inspection: An official veterinarian from Botswana's Department of Veterinary Services inspects each animal to ensure it is healthy.
Process & Post-Mortem Inspection: Humane slaughter is followed by deboning and cutting of noble primals. Carcasses are inspected again to ensure product safety.
Packaging and Labelling: Each cut is individually vacuum-packed. The label includes a traceability code, origin, plant numbers, and key dates.
Cold Chain Maintenance: The meat is immediately chilled to a constant 0°C to 2°C.

3. Documentation at Origin

A set of essential documents is prepared:

Official Health Certificate: Certifies that the meat meets all EU sanitary requirements.
Certificate of Origin (EUR.1): Allows the goods to benefit from a 0% duty rate under the SADC-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).
Commercial Invoice & Packing List: Details the transaction and shipment contents.

PHASE 2: International Logistics and Transport

1. Inland Transport & Export Customs

The 500 kg consignment is loaded onto a refrigerated truck with a thermograph (temperature logger) and transported to Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (GBE). At the airport, export clearance is obtained from the Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS).

2. Air Transport

Mode: Air Freight is the only viable option for chilled beef.
Packaging: The cargo is placed in specialized refrigerated containers (active cool-chain ULDs).
Air Route (Example): Gaborone (GBE) → Main Hub (e.g., Frankfurt - FRA) → Barcelona (BCN).

PHASE 3: Arrival and Import into Barcelona, Spain (EU)

1. Border Control Post (BCP) at Barcelona Airport

This is the most rigorous checkpoint. The importer submits a Common Health Entry Document for Products (CHED-P) via the EU's TRACES NT system before arrival.

Documentary Check: BCP veterinary inspectors review all documentation.
Identity Check: They physically verify that seals and labels match the documents.
Physical Check: A random sample is opened to check temperature, appearance, and for potential lab sampling.

2. Customs Import Clearance

With a validated CHED-P, the customs broker submits the Customs Import Declaration (DUA/SAD).

Customs Duty: 0% thanks to the EUR.1 certificate.
VAT (IVA): The importer pays the Spanish VAT rate of 10% on the customs value of the goods.

PHASE 4 & 5: Distribution & Final Sale

Once released, the meat is transported to a distributor's platform in Mercabarna, broken into smaller orders, and delivered to the butcher's stall in La Boqueria. The butcher performs a final quality check and displays the meat for sale, providing full traceability information to the consumer as required by law. The stall is subject to inspections by the Barcelona Public Health Agency (ASPB).

Detailed Cost Analysis: 500 kg Chilled Botswana Beef

This table provides a realistic, itemized breakdown of costs from the farm in Botswana to the final consumer in Barcelona. All values are in EUR.

Cost Component	Description	Unit Cost	Total Cost	Cumulative Cost
1. Product Cost (Farm Gate)	Price paid to the farmer for export-quality raw cattle.	€5.50 / kg	€2,750	€2,750
2. Processing & Packaging	Cost of slaughter, deboning, cutting, vacuum-packing at EU-approved plant.	€2.50 / kg	€1,250	€4,000
FOB Value (Free On Board)	Value of goods ready for export at Gaborone airport (GBE).	€8.00 / kg	€4,000	€4,000
3. Inland Logistics (Origin)	Refrigerated truck from abattoir to Gaborone airport (GBE).	Flat Fee	€300	€4,300
4. Export Documentation	Health Certificate, EUR.1, broker fees in Botswana.	Flat Fee	€200	€4,500
5. Air Freight	GBE → FRA → BCN for temperature-controlled cargo.	€7.50 / kg	€3,750	€8,250
6. Cargo Insurance	Insurance covering loss or damage during transit (0.5% of value).	0.5% of CFR	€41	€8,291
CIF Value (Cost, Insurance, Freight)	Value of goods as they arrive at Barcelona airport.	€16.58 / kg	€8,291	€8,291
7. Destination Charges	BCN Airport Terminal Handling Charges (THC).	€0.40 / kg	€200	€8,491
8. BCP Veterinary Inspection	Official fees for the mandatory sanitary check.	Flat Fee	€250	€8,741
9. Customs Clearance	Spanish customs broker fee for handling import declaration.	Flat Fee	€300	€9,041
10. Customs Duty	0% due to EUR.1 certificate.	0%	€0	€9,041
11. VAT (10% on CIF)	10% Spanish VAT on the CIF value of €8,291. (Cash flow item)	10%	€829	€9,870
Landed Cost (Excl. VAT)	Total cost to get product cleared in Spain, before VAT.	€18.08 / kg	€9,041	€9,041
12. Importer Margin (35%)	Margin on landed cost by the importer/distributor.	35%	€3,164	€12,205
Wholesale Price (to Butcher)	Price paid by the butcher at La Boqueria (excl. VAT).	€24.41 / kg	€12,205	€12,205
13. Retailer Margin (60%)	Margin applied by the butcher on their purchase price.	60%	€7,323	€19,528
Final Retail Price (Excl. VAT)	Price on the counter before VAT.	€39.06 / kg	€19,528	€19,528
Final Retail Price (Incl. 10% VAT)	Final price paid by the consumer.	€42.96 / kg	€21,481	€21,481

Disclaimer: This information is provided by ProdAfrica Consulting & Business Directory for guidance purposes only. All data, including costs and procedures, are illustrative estimates and are subject to change based on market conditions and specific agreements. ProdAfrica assumes no liability for decisions made based on this report.