Poultry meat and offal market in Malawi

Earlier Report Observations

The poultry meat and offal market in Malawi began the period at a high volume of 381 thousand tons in 2018, supported by regulatory changes that restricted imports through the revised Meat and Meat Products Act and the continued prohibition of dressed poultry imports without permission, reinforcing domestic supply. However, the market contracted sharply to 210 thousand tons in 2019.

A recovery ensued from 2020, with production rising to 243 thousand tons, driven by the implementation of the national Poultry Sector Strategy which aimed to stabilize feed costs, improve slaughter facilities, and formalize smallholder supply chains. Growth continued into 2021, reaching 247 thousand tons, as policy dialogues emphasized investments in poultry infrastructure and stricter quality control to enhance export potential, despite ongoing feed price volatility.

After a decline to 202 thousand tons in 2022, the market expanded again to 212 thousand tons in 2023. This recovery was facilitated by an amendment to the Meat and Meat Products Act that allowed limited export licenses for processed poultry, encouraging production for foreign markets, and by temporary regulatory easing to address COVID‑19 related labor shortages at processing plants.

Production poultry meat and offal in Malawi

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of poultry meat and offal, 2017-2020

World map of production of poultry meat and offal, 2017-2020

Malawi's poultry meat and offal production reached 243.0 thousand tons in 2020, marking a 15.7% increase from the previous year. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production actually declined by 6.6%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 2.3%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 209.9 thousand tons, while the peak occurred in 2018 with 381.2 thousand tons. The most significant drop happened in 2019, when production fell by 44.9%, whereas the largest increase was observed in 2018 with a 46.5% rise.

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

Exports poultry meat and offal from Malawi

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes of poultry meat and offal from Malawi showed considerable fluctuations during this period. The highest point was in 2018 at 122.1 tons, dropping to a low of 25.1 tons in 2020, representing a 4.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, exports totaled 25.1 tons, which was a dramatic year-on-year decline of 72.1%. The most substantial increase occurred in 2018, with exports surging by 130.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Mozambique was the sole destination for Malawi's poultry meat and offal exports, accounting for 100.0% of the total export volume.

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

Malawi's export value of poultry meat and offal declined for the third year in a row in 2020, reaching 81.8 thousand US dollars, which was a controlled decrease of 7.1% compared to the previous year. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 83.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -44.8%.

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

During the 2017-2020 timeframe, Malawi's export value of poultry meat and offal was entirely dependent on Mozambique, as this market represented 100.0% of total exports in monetary terms.

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

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

Imports poultry meat and offal to Malawi

Imports in kind, t

After two consecutive years of decline, Malawi's imports of poultry meat and offal rebounded in 2020, totaling 305.5 tons, which was a 22.2% increase from the year before. Despite this recent uptick, imports decreased by 15.7% overall between 2017 and 2020, averaging an annual decline of 5.5%. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 250.0 tons, with the sharpest drop occurring that same year at 22.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Zambia and South Africa were the primary suppliers of poultry meat and offal to Malawi, together making up 88.0% of total imports by volume. Other countries contributed smaller, individual shares to the remaining imports.

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

Following a two-year downward trend, Malawi's import value of poultry meat and offal increased in 2020, amounting to 834.4 thousand US dollars, a 13.2% gain compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, however, imports decreased by 6.8%, with an average annual rate of decline of 2.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 737.1 thousand US dollars, and the largest decline happened in 2018 at 15.6%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Zambia dominated Malawi's import value of poultry meat and offal, holding a 74.1% share of the total. The remainder was distributed among various other countries, each with relatively minor individual shares.

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

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