Dried shelled pigeon peas market in Malawi

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, Malawi's dried shelled pigeon peas market reached 432 000 tonnes, supported by a 6.4% production increase driven by improved seed availability and market incentives. The state-owned company ADMARC played a central role by procuring peas directly from farmers for processing and domestic distribution, while the government extended a 50 000 tonne export offer to India until 2025 to boost foreign exchange earnings. The following year, market volume contracted to 401 000 tonnes as production challenges highlighted by agricultural civil society networks constrained output, despite continued policy focus on export opportunities.

From 2020 to 2023, market volume fluctuated, peaking at 423 000 tonnes in 2020 before easing to 406 000 tonnes in 2021. A sharp decline to 355 000 tonnes occurred in 2022, followed by a recovery to 405 000 tonnes in 2023.

Production dried shelled pigeon peas in Malawi

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Malawi held the second-highest position globally in the production of dried shelled pigeon peas.

Top producers of dried shelled pigeon peas, 2017-2020

World map of production of dried shelled pigeon peas, 2017-2020

After a two-year decline, Malawi's production of dried shelled pigeon peas rebounded. In 2020, the country produced 424.0 thousand tonnes, marking a modest year-over-year increase of 5.1%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production fell by 9.9%, which translates to an average annual decline of 3.4%. The lowest output was recorded in 2019 at 403.5 thousand tonnes, while the sharpest drop occurred in 2018 with a 7.6% decrease.

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

Exports dried shelled pigeon peas from Malawi

Exports in kind, t

The market showed significant volatility during these years. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 61-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, Malawi's foreign supplies of dried shelled pigeon peas totaled 743 tonnes, representing a 72.5% decline compared to the previous year. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 3 049 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 5,961.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India dominated the export market in kind, accounting for 76.7% of total flows, while other trading partners held relatively minor shares.

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

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout this period. Exports in value terms peaked in 2019 and fell to their lowest point in 2017, with a 43-fold gap between these years. In 2020, cross-border shipments of dried shelled pigeon peas from Malawi were valued at 1 942 thousand US dollars, down by 74.2% year-over-year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 7 530 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a rise of 1,412.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, India was the dominant market for Malawi's exports in value terms, capturing 72.2% of total flows, with other countries accounting for the remaining share.

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

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

Imports dried shelled pigeon peas to Malawi

Imports in kind, t

The market experienced high volatility during these years. Imports in kind reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2019, showing a 57-fold difference. In 2020, Malawi's imports of dried shelled pigeon peas stood at 1 tonne, reflecting a sharp decrease of 55.0% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 0.0 tonnes, while the maximum was in 2019 at 2 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 79.0% drop, and the largest increase was in 2019 with a rise of 5,566.7%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Tanzania, South Africa, and India were the key sources for Malawi's imports in kind, with shares of 40.4%, 30.6%, and 24.6%, respectively. Together, they accounted for 95.6% of total import 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

The market showed an unstable trend over this timeframe. Imports in value terms were at their lowest in 2018 and reached their highest in 2019, with a 4.8-fold gap between these years. In 2020, foreign supplies of dried shelled pigeon peas to Malawi amounted to 1 thousand US dollars, down by 16.1% versus the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 0.1 thousand US dollars, and the maximum was in 2019 at 1 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 68.9% decrease, while the largest increase was in 2019 with a rise of 381.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Tanzania, South Africa, and Kenya were the largest suppliers of dried shelled pigeon peas to Malawi in value terms, with shares of 36.7%, 32.4%, and 21.2%, respectively. Together, they made up 90.3% of total imports in value terms.

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

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