Bananas market in Malawi

Earlier Report Observations

Banana production in Malawi showed significant growth over the 2018–2023 period, rising from 760 000 t to 1 077 000 t. The early phase of this expansion was underpinned by the government's designation of the banana value chain as a priority for agricultural transformation, which attracted donor and private-sector support aimed at revitalizing the sector through policy and investment. This contributed to an increase in output to 811 000 t by 2019.

After a temporary contraction to 740 000 t in 2020, production rebounded sharply, climbing to 865 000 t in 2021 and then to 935 000 t in 2022. The upward momentum continued into 2023, when output reached 1 077 000 t, marking a substantial expansion over the six-year span.

Production bananas in Malawi

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, Malawi ranked as the 28th largest producer of bananas during the 2017-2020 period.

Top producers of bananas, 2017-2020

World map of production of bananas, 2017-2020

After two consecutive years of growth, Malawi's banana production declined in 2020. The country produced 740.3 thousand tonnes of bananas that year, marking an 8.7% decrease from 2019. Production had peaked in 2019 at 810.8 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 6.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Malawi in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports bananas from Malawi

Exports in kind, t

Banana exports from Malawi showed significant volatility during the observed period. Exports bottomed out in 2020 at just 0.3 tonnes, representing an 89.6% decline from the previous year. The peak occurred in 2019 with 3.0 tonnes exported, which was also the year with the largest percentage increase at 500.0%. The difference between the highest and lowest export volumes was 9.6-fold.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Malawi in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Mozambique was the primary destination for Malawi's banana exports, accounting for 78.7% of total export volume. The remaining exports went to a diverse group of other countries.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Malawi in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, $ US

The value of Malawi's banana exports grew for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching $442 USD - an 83.2% increase from 2019. Over the three-year period from 2018 to 2020, export values rose by 194.5%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 43.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Malawi in value, 2017-2020, $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Zambia and Mozambique together represented 81.7% of the total value of Malawi's banana exports. Other countries accounted for the remaining share, forming a diverse but less significant portion of export destinations.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Malawi in value, 2017-2020

Imports bananas to Malawi

Imports in kind, t

Banana imports into Malawi displayed considerable volatility during these years. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018 at 230.8 tonnes, representing a 4.1-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, imports declined to 64.4 tonnes, a 50.8% decrease from the previous year. The largest percentage increase occurred in 2018 at 313.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Malawi in kind, 2017-2020, t

During the 2017-2020 period, Tanzania and Mozambique were the main sources of banana imports into Malawi, jointly accounting for 85.1% of total import volume. Other trading partners made up the remaining share.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Malawi in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, $ US

The value of banana imports into Malawi followed an unstable pattern throughout the observed timeframe. Imports bottomed in 2017 and peaked in 2018 at $39 933 USD, with a 4.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, import values fell to $10 226 USD, representing a 54.6% decrease from 2019. The largest percentage increase occurred in 2018 at 351.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Malawi in value, 2017-2020, $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Tanzania (49.7% of import value), South Africa (25.5%), and France (16.9%) formed the key group of trading partners for Malawi's banana imports. Together, these three countries accounted for 92.1% of the total import value during this period.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Malawi in value, 2017-2020