Coffee, husks, skins and substitutes market in Malawi

Earlier Report Observations

Malawi's coffee market volume began the period at 10 749 t in 2018, a year when stakeholders cited climate challenges like prolonged dry seasons as a threat to production and advocated for reforms. Concurrently, the government's Buy Malawi Strategy aimed to raise domestic consumption of local coffee.

The market contracted to 9 520 t by 2020, coinciding with a drop in production to 10 000 t that likely reflected the earlier noted weather pressures on yields. Export volatility also contributed to reduced domestic availability during these years.

A recovery unfolded from 2021 onward, with market volume reaching 10 680 t in 2023 as production stabilized at 11 000 t. The earlier focus on stimulating local demand and active cooperative involvement provided a supportive backdrop for this rebound.

Production coffee, husks, skins and substitutes in Malawi

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of coffee, husks, skins and substitutes, 2017-2020

World map of production of coffee, husks, skins and substitutes, 2017-2020

Malawi's production of coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 10 000 tonnes, marking a modest decrease of 9.1% from 2019. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production actually grew by 18.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.9%. The peak was in 2018 at 11 082 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 31.6%.

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

Exports coffee, husks, skins and substitutes from Malawi

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 406.0 tonnes, then surged to a peak in 2019 at 942.6 tonnes—a 2.3-fold increase. In 2020, Malawi's export volume of coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes was 579.7 tonnes, representing a sharp decline of 38.5% from the previous year. The largest drop occurred in 2018 at 41.8%, while the biggest gain was in 2019 at 132.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, the United States, and South Africa were the top destinations for Malawi's exports in kind. Germany accounted for 24.8% of exports, the United States for 22.8%, and South Africa for 20.9%. Together, these three countries made up 68.5% of total export flows.

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, K $ US

In 2020, Malawi exported coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes worth 1 846 thousand US dollars, a sharp decline of 30.7% from the year before. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 25.4%, with an average annual decline of 9.3%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 1 675 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2019 at 2 663 thousand US dollars. The largest drop occurred in 2018 at 32.3%, and the biggest increase was in 2019 at 59.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States, Germany, and South Africa formed the core of Malawi's exports in value terms. The United States led with 31.5% of exports, followed by Germany at 25.3%, and South Africa at 13.0%. Combined, these three markets accounted for 69.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports coffee, husks, skins and substitutes to Malawi

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Malawi's imports of coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes declined. In 2020, the country imported 99.7 tonnes, a slight decrease of 3.0% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 42.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 12.6%. The peak was in 2019 at 102.7 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 40.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa dominated Malawi's imports in kind of coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes, consistently making up 94.3% of total flows.

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, K $ US

Following a two-year rise, Malawi's imports of coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes in value terms fell. In 2020, import volume amounted to 364 thousand US dollars, a moderate decline of 4.1% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 22.4%, with an average annual rate of 7.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 380 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 18.3%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, South Africa was the primary and nearly exclusive source for Malawi's imports in value terms of coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes, accounting for 92.1% of total flows.

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

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