Not roasted and not cooked groundnuts market in Malawi

Earlier Report Observations

Malawi's production of not roasted and not cooked groundnuts grew significantly in the early part of the period, driven by the adoption of improved seed varieties and support programs like the UK Aid-funded Malawi Oilseeds Sector Transformation (MOST). This, coupled with rising export demand, pushed market volume to 442 thousand tons in 2019. However, the market faced subsequent challenges from Groundnut Rosette Disease (GRD) and erratic rainfall, which reduced yields and contributed to a decline in domestic supply, with market volume falling to 359 thousand tons in 2022 as a large portion of production was exported.

The release of new disease-resistant groundnut varieties by ICRISAT and partners in 2022 began to address these production constraints. By 2023, continued value-chain strengthening projects and the work of organizations like NASFAM, which promoted quality production through its Anchor Farm Model, helped production recover to 468 thousand tons. During this period, Malawi also ratified the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement, recognizing groundnuts' export potential.

Policy and institutional developments further shaped the market environment. Parliament enacted the Investment and Export Promotion Act of 2024 to boost investment and exports, while high aflatoxin contamination remained a persistent challenge affecting quality and market access. The inaugural Groundnut Tour Conference in 2024 aimed to position Malawi as a regional hub, highlighting ongoing efforts to formalize the value chain and improve resilience against climatic shocks.

Production not roasted and not cooked groundnuts in Malawi

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Malawi ranked 22nd globally in the production of not roasted and not cooked groundnuts.

Top producers of not roasted and not cooked groundnuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of not roasted and not cooked groundnuts, 2017-2020

In 2020, Malawi produced 425.9 K t of not roasted and not cooked groundnuts, marking a 5.9% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 10.2%, which translates to an annualized rate of 3.3%. The lowest production level was in 2018 at 344.6 K t, while the highest was in 2019 at 452.6 K t. The most significant decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 10.8%, and the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 31.3%.

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

Exports not roasted and not cooked groundnuts from Malawi

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. The minimum export volume was recorded in 2018 at 5 010 t, and the maximum in 2019 at 10 471 t, resulting in a 2.1-fold variation between these years. In 2020, Malawi exported 9 529 t of not roasted and not cooked groundnuts, which is 9.0% lower than the previous year. The largest decline was in 2018, falling by 31.9%, while the largest increase was in 2019, surging by 109.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Malawi's exports of not roasted and not cooked groundnuts were Kenya, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe, accounting for 30.4%, 24.0%, and 19.1% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 73.6% 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

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations over the period. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 15 447 K $ US, and the highest in 2019 at 39 571 K $ US, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 2.6 times. In 2020, shipments of not roasted and not cooked groundnuts from Malawi abroad amounted to 38 888 K $ US, reflecting a 1.7% year-on-year loss. The largest decline occurred in 2018, decreasing by 21.2%, while the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 156.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Kenya, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe were the three principal markets for Malawi's exports of not roasted and not cooked groundnuts in value terms, collectively accounting for 83.5% of total exports.

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

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

Imports not roasted and not cooked groundnuts to Malawi

Imports in kind, t

Imports of not roasted and not cooked groundnuts into Malawi increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the import volume reached 242 t, showing a sharp gain of 42.4% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 1096.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 128.7%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Zambia dominated the geographical structure of imports in kind of not roasted and not cooked groundnuts to Malawi, holding a 95.5% share 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

Foreign supplies of not roasted and not cooked groundnuts to Malawi increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports reached 629 K $ US, which is 73.9% higher than in 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports surged by 2178.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 183.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Zambia effectively monopolized imports in value terms of not roasted and not cooked groundnuts to Malawi, capturing 97.1% 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