Frozen vegetables market in Malawi

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2019, frozen vegetable production in Malawi stabilized at around 54 thousand tons, with market volume remaining near this level. This period reflected challenges faced by smallholder farmers, including limited access to innovations and financing, while government policies focusing on agricultural development and irrigation laid the groundwork for future expansion.

From 2020 onward, production entered a steady growth phase, reaching 74 thousand tons by 2023, and market volume increased to 72 thousand tons. This expansion was supported by market regulation measures such as export restrictions and price controls, which encouraged domestic production. Ongoing state support for agricultural market development and the push for crop diversification further boosted frozen vegetable output.

In 2024, the Investment and Export Promotion Act established the Malawi Investment and Trade Centre to attract investment into agro-processing. Simultaneously, the emergence of modern commercial farms like Horizon Farm, using research-based growing techniques, indicated potential for enhanced production capacity and food safety in the frozen vegetable sector.

Production frozen vegetables in Malawi

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Malawi ranked as the 27th largest producer of frozen vegetables globally.

Top producers of frozen vegetables, 2017-2020

World map of production of frozen vegetables, 2017-2020

After a two-year decline, Malawi's frozen vegetable production rebounded. In 2020, the country produced 63 935 tonnes of frozen vegetables, marking a significant 18.1% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 5%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.6%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 54 122 tonnes, while the largest drop occurred in 2018 with a 10.1% decrease.

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

Exports frozen vegetables from Malawi

Exports in kind, t

The market showed considerable volatility during these years. Malawi's exports of frozen vegetables reached 78.5 tonnes in 2020, reflecting a sharp 17.4% decline from 2019. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 498.7 tonnes, while imports fluctuated 8.3 times between the low of 2017 and the high of 2018. The largest decrease occurred in 2019 at 81.0%, and the biggest increase was in 2018 with a 731.1% surge.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates (39.3% of exports by volume), South Africa (27.3%), and Zimbabwe (13.1%) were Malawi's primary export markets for frozen vegetables, collectively accounting for 79.8% of total shipments.

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 data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Exports in value terms peaked in 2018 at 1 331 thousand US dollars and fell to their lowest point in 2019 at 130 thousand US dollars, representing a 10.3-fold difference. In 2020, frozen vegetable exports from Malawi amounted to 264 thousand US dollars, showing a substantial 103.3% increase compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 90.3%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2018 with a 315.2% rise.

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

During 2017-2020, Malawi's frozen vegetable exports in value terms were heavily concentrated on the United Arab Emirates, which accounted for 72.2% of total flows, with other partners making up the remainder.

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

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

Imports frozen vegetables to Malawi

Imports in kind, t

The data indicates irregular changes, suggesting a volatile market. Malawi's imports of frozen vegetables reached 94.6 tonnes in 2020, down 65.9% from the previous year. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 277.6 tonnes, with imports varying 6.8 times between the low of 2017 and the high of 2019. The largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 333.5% jump.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, two countries—South Africa and Tanzania—dominated Malawi's frozen vegetable imports by volume, together representing 98.8% 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

Noticeable fluctuations marked market performance during this period. Imports in value terms peaked in 2019 at 159 thousand US dollars and reached their lowest point in 2017, showing a 2.4-fold variation. In 2020, frozen vegetable deliveries to Malawi totaled 132 thousand US dollars, a 16.9% decrease from the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2018 with an 80.1% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa served as the main source of frozen vegetable imports to Malawi, consistently accounting for 97.0% of total imports by value.

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

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