Soybeans market in Malawi

Earlier Report Observations

The soybean market in Malawi experienced considerable volatility from 2018 to 2023. Market volume started at 168 thousand tons in 2018, surged by over 50% to 256 thousand tons in 2019, and remained relatively stable through 2020 and 2021. It then reached a peak of 271 thousand tons in 2022 before dropping sharply by 34% to 178 thousand tons in 2023.

This trajectory was closely tied to domestic production, which more than doubled from 176 thousand tons in 2018 to 303 thousand tons in 2022, followed by a 22% decline in 2023. At the same time, export volumes grew substantially, particularly from 2021 onward, reaching 58 thousand tons in 2023. The increase in exports absorbed a larger share of production, reducing the volume available for the domestic market.

Imports played a minor role throughout most of the period, with a notable exception in 2021 when 5.8 thousand tons were imported. The overall market size thus reflected the balance between rising production and expanding export activity.

Production soybeans in Malawi

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Malawi ranked as the 23rd largest producer of soybeans globally.

Top producers of soybeans, 2017-2020

World map of production of soybeans, 2017-2020

Malawi's soybean production increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 264.4 K t of soybeans, showing no significant change from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 26.8%, which translates to an annualized rate of 8.2%. The lowest production was recorded in 2018 at 175.5 K t, marking the largest decline of 15.9% that year. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2019, with a 50.1% rise.

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

Exports soybeans from Malawi

Exports in kind, t

Soybean exports from Malawi declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export volume reached 5 890 t, representing a substantial year-over-year reduction of 22.5%. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 61.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 27.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Malawi's soybean exports in kind were India (21.1% of exports), Zimbabwe (15.8% of exports), and Rwanda (14.1% of exports). Together, these three countries accounted for 51.0% 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

Malawi's soybean exports in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 13 125 K $ US worth of soybeans, equivalent to a solid drop of 23.1% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 32%, which corresponds to an annualized rate of 12.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 22 265 K $ US, marking the largest increase of 15.3% that year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 23.3% decrease.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Zimbabwe (26.4% of exports in value terms), Kenya (16.6% of exports in value terms), and India (14.2% of exports in value terms) played the leading roles in Malawi's soybean exports by value. Collectively, they accounted for 57.1% of total export 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 soybeans to Malawi

Imports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, showing a 6.1-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Malawi's soybean imports reached 768 t, reflecting a sharp improvement of 296.8% from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 126 t, which also saw the largest decline of 82.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Zambia and the United States played the leading roles in Malawi's soybean imports in kind, together accounting for 81.5% of total import flows. The remaining share was distributed among other countries.

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

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 and their highest in 2017, reflecting a 37-fold gap. In 2020, Malawi's soybean imports were recorded at 977 K $ US, indicating a rise of 263.6% compared to 2019. The minimum value was in 2018 at 200 K $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 97.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States concentrated 83.2% of total soybean imports to Malawi in value terms, while the remaining flows were scattered across multiple smaller partners.

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

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