Fresh grapes market in Malawi

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for fresh grapes in Malawi showed notable fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. Starting at 367.5 t in 2018, it declined to 331.6 t in 2019, constrained by persistent infrastructure and storage challenges that limited supply chain development. A recovery to 378.5 t in 2020 was supported by government input subsidy programs, which helped boost domestic production despite the sector's reliance on rain-fed agriculture. The market then reached its peak of 403.6 t in 2021, driven by efforts to improve market access and finance for farmers, facilitating a significant rise in imports.

A sharp contraction followed in 2022, with the market volume dropping to 332.4 t as Malawi's push for fair trade rules and special treatment in international trade coincided with a substantial decrease in import volumes. The market stabilized slightly at 339.7 t in 2023, aided by continued imports and emerging investments in controlled environment agriculture, such as the large-scale greenhouse farm operated by GBI Greenhouse Limited, reflecting ongoing shifts toward commercial production. Throughout the period, regulatory frameworks enforced by the Malawi Bureau of Standards and broader agricultural commercialization reforms provided the structural context for market development.

Production fresh grapes in Malawi

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of fresh grapes, 2017-2020

World map of production of fresh grapes, 2017-2020

Malawi produced 215.3 t of fresh grapes in 2020, representing a robust 19.6% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 4.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.6%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 180.0 t, while the highest was in 2018 at 240.0 t. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a 25.0% drop.

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

Exports fresh grapes from Malawi

Market analysis indicates that Malawi did not export fresh grapes from 2017 to 2020.

Imports fresh grapes to Malawi

Imports in kind, t

Fresh grape imports to Malawi increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 163.1 t, showing a modest 7.6% improvement over the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 20.9%, with a CAGR of 6.5%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 127.5 t, which also saw the largest decline of 5.5%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019, with an 18.9% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa dominated Malawi's fresh grape import structure, consistently accounting for 94.8% of total import volumes.

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

After two years of growth, fresh grape imports to Malawi declined in value. In 2020, imports stood at 309.6 K $ US, representing an 11.0% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 6.8%, with a CAGR of 2.2%. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 347.8 K $ US, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 16.5% rise.

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

During 2017-2020, Malawi's import market was highly concentrated, with South Africa alone responsible for 91.4% of total import value.

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

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