Soybean oil and fractions market in Malawi

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the soybean oil market in Malawi grew from 27 194 t to 35 482 t. This increase was supported by rising domestic production, which expanded from 15 600 t to 17 600 t, and substantial import volumes that peaked at 18 415 t in 2019.

From 2021 onwards, import volumes fell sharply to 8 782 t and continued declining to only 393 t by 2023. During the same period, local production grew significantly, reaching 24 500 t in 2022 and maintaining that level in 2023. These shifts led to a decrease in total market size to 27 782 t in 2021, a slight recovery to 28 845 t in 2022, and a further drop to 23 215 t in 2023, a year which also saw the start of notable export activity.

Overall, from 2018 to 2023, Malawi's soybean oil production increased by more than 50%, substantially offsetting the dramatic reduction in imports after 2020. The total market volume showed considerable volatility, reaching its highest point in 2020 before contracting in the following years.

Production soybean oil and fractions in Malawi

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of soybean oil and fractions, 2017-2020

World map of production of soybean oil and fractions, 2017-2020

Malawi's production of soybean oil and fractions has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 17,600 tonnes, marking a modest increase of 10.0% compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 17.3%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 5.5%.

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

Exports soybean oil and fractions from Malawi

Exports in kind, t

The export market for soybean oil and fractions from Malawi showed significant volatility during these years. The lowest point was in 2017, while the peak occurred in 2018, with a staggering 1,074,000-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, exports amounted to 35 tonnes, representing an extraordinary increase of 327,002.8% over 2019. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 1,074 tonnes. The largest decline, a complete drop of 100.0%, was seen in 2019, while the most substantial increase, at 107,399,900.0%, occurred in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Zambia was the primary buyer of soybean oil and fractions from Malawi, accounting for 96.8% of total exports in volume terms.

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

Export values experienced notable fluctuations over this period. The lowest point was in 2019, while the peak was in 2018, with exports changing by a factor of 812,378 between these years. In 2020, Malawi's soybean oil and fractions exports were valued at 25,000 US dollars, showing a dramatic year-over-year surge of 1,832,000.0%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 0 US dollars, and the maximum was in 2018 at 1,089,000 US dollars. The largest decline, a full 100.0%, occurred in 2019, whereas the biggest increase, at 79,458,739.4%, was in 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Malawi's soybean oil and fractions exports were heavily focused on Zambia, which represented 97.8% of total export value.

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

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

Imports soybean oil and fractions to Malawi

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Malawi imported 17,917 tonnes of soybean oil and fractions, a slight decrease of 2.7% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 15.8%, with an average annual rate of 5.0%. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 12,668 tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 18,415 tonnes. The largest decline, at 18.2%, was recorded in 2018, and the biggest increase, at 45.4%, occurred in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Argentina was the leading source for Malawi's imports of soybean oil and fractions in volume, making up 80.6% of total flows. The remaining share was spread across several smaller markets.

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 imports of soybean oil and fractions in value terms have risen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 18,354,000 US dollars, up by 4.1% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 span, import value increased by 12.2%, averaging 3.9% growth per year. The lowest value was in 2018 at 12,526,000 US dollars. The most significant decline, at 23.4%, was in 2018, while the largest increase, at 40.8%, was in 2019.

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

During 2017-2020, Argentina dominated Malawi's imports of soybean oil and fractions in value, accounting for 80.7% of total flows. The rest was distributed among various smaller destinations.

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

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