Sunflower or safflower oil and fractions market in Malawi

Earlier Report Observations

The market for sunflower and safflower oil in Malawi saw initial growth, with volume reaching 8 589 t in 2019. This expansion was supported by the entry of Sunseed Oil Limited, which began operating a modern processing plant in Lumbadzi, increasing domestic refining capacity for locally grown oilseeds.

Market volume then declined to 7 369 t by 2021, a period marked by a sharp reduction in imports, which fell from 1 600 t to 569 t. Domestic production remained resilient, staying above 6 800 t during these years.

The market stabilized around 7 800 t in 2022-2023, with domestic output rising to 7 700 t in 2022. By 2024, the sector confronted forex shortages disrupting fertilizer supplies for oilseed cultivation and high fuel prices maintained by the Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority, increasing production and transportation costs.

Production sunflower or safflower oil and fractions in Malawi

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of sunflower or safflower oil and fractions, 2017-2020

World map of production of sunflower or safflower oil and fractions, 2017-2020

Malawi's production of sunflower or safflower oil and fractions has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 7 100 tonnes, marking a 1.4% increase from 2019. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production surged by 106.6%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 27.4%.

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

Exports sunflower or safflower oil and fractions from Malawi

Exports in kind, t

The market showed significant volatility during this period. Export volumes hit their lowest point in 2018 at 0.1 tonnes, then surged dramatically in 2019 with an 8,048.1% increase, and reached 24 tonnes in 2020, up 115.1% year-on-year. From the peak in 2017 to the trough in 2018, volumes varied by 207 times, with the largest decline of 99.5% occurring in 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Tanzania and Botswana were the primary markets for Malawi's exports in kind, together accounting for 82.3% of total flows, while other partners made up the remainder.

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 market experienced an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Exports bottomed in 2018 at 0.2 thousand US dollars, then saw a massive rise in 2019, and reached 24 thousand US dollars in 2020, which is 1,613.5% higher than the previous year. From the peak in 2017 to the low in 2018, values differed by 259 times, with the largest decline of 99.6% recorded in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Tanzania and Botswana dominated as the key destinations for Malawi's exports in value terms, jointly representing 98.1% of total flows, with other markets accounting for the rest.

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

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

Imports sunflower or safflower oil and fractions to Malawi

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Malawi's imports of sunflower or safflower oil and fractions from abroad totalled 886 tonnes, showing a sharp drop of 44.6% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 1 600 tonnes, with the largest increase of 16.2% also occurring that year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 38.8%, equating to an average annual decline of 15.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, South Africa strongly dominated the geographical pattern of Malawi's imports in kind, holding an 82.0% share of total flows, while other partners had relatively minor shares.

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

In 2020, Malawi's imports of sunflower or safflower oil and fractions stood at 1 197 thousand US dollars, representing a sharp decline of 42.6% from the year before. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 2 085 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase of 16.4% also in that year. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 37.6%, which corresponds to an average annual decrease of 14.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa took the dominant position in Malawi's imports in value terms, accounting for 81.9% of total flows, while the remaining share 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