Milk and cream market in Malawi

Earlier Report Observations

The market for not concentrated, not sweetened milk and cream in Malawi showed consistent growth in both production and total volume from 2018 to 2023. This expansion was supported by policy measures, including the 2019 update to the Customs and Excise Tariffs Order which altered import costs for dairy products. The subsequent introduction of the Control of Goods Regulations in 2020 provided further protection for local infant industries, creating an environment that favored domestic milk and cream production over imports.

The upward trend continued into 2022, reinforced by another revision of the tariff order under the HS 2022 framework. This legal update facilitated trade compliance and coincided with a period where market growth was primarily fueled by rising local output, as import volumes remained minimal throughout the period.

Production milk and cream in Malawi

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of milk and cream, 2017-2020

World map of production of milk and cream, 2017-2020

Malawi's milk and cream production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 201.7 thousand tons, marking a 1.6% increase from 2019. Over the four-year period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 12.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.1%.

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

Exports milk and cream from Malawi

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular fluctuations, reflecting a volatile market. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2020 at 1 ton, which is 41.7% lower than the previous year. In contrast, the highest volume was in 2018 at 16 tons, representing a 23.1% increase from the prior year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 93.7%. Overall, exports varied dramatically, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 27 times between 2018 and 2020.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Zambia and Mozambique accounted for all of Malawi's milk and cream exports in kind, together making up 100.0% of the total 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

The data indicates irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2020 at 1 thousand US dollars, down 12.5% year-over-year. The highest value was in 2018 at 14 thousand US dollars, with a slight increase of 0.1% from the previous year. The largest decline was in 2019, falling by 93.3%. Overall, exports varied significantly, with a 17-fold difference between the high in 2018 and the low in 2020.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Zambia and Mozambique dominated Malawi's milk and cream exports in value terms, jointly accounting for 100.0% of the total 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 milk and cream to Malawi

Imports in kind, t

Malawi's milk and cream imports have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 622 tons, an 18.4% decrease from 2019. The highest import volume was in 2018 at 1 009 tons, up 7.6% from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 24.5%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 33.8%, equating to an annualized decline of 12.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa was the primary supplier of milk and cream to Malawi, accounting for 87.5% of total imports in kind, while other countries shared the remaining volume.

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

Malawi's milk and cream imports have decreased for the second year in a row. In 2020, import value reached 667 thousand US dollars, down 35.4% compared to 2019. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 608 thousand US dollars, a 48.3% increase from the previous year. The largest decline was in 2019, falling by 35.9%. Over the four-year period from 2017 to 2020, imports dropped by 38.5%, with an average annual decline of 15.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, South Africa was by far the main source for Malawi's milk and cream imports in value terms, 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