Tea in packings ≤3 kg market in Malawi

Earlier Report Observations

The market for tea in packings ≤3 kg in Malawi experienced a decline from 50.5 thousand tons in 2018 to 45.2 thousand tons in 2020, reducing the market size by over 10% across this period.

In 2021, the market rebounded sharply to 50.4 thousand tons, an increase of 11.7% from the previous year. This recovery coincided with amendments to the Customs & Excise (Tariffs) Order by the Malawi Revenue Authority, which altered import and export duties on tea products. The regulatory changes likely improved market access and pricing conditions, supporting a resurgence in domestic production.

The market contracted again in 2022 and 2023, falling to 47.4 thousand tons and then to 43.2 thousand tons. Fiscal policies outlined in the 2022/2023 budget statement introduced taxation measures that may have constrained market activity. In 2023, high inflation rates eroded consumer purchasing power, reducing tea consumption, while adverse climate conditions reported by the Malawi Meteorological Department negatively impacted tea yields and supply.

Production tea in packings ≤3 kg in Malawi

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Malawi ranked 14th globally in tea production for packings of 3 kg or less between 2017 and 2020.

Top producers of tea in packings ≤3 kg, 2017-2020

World map of production of tea in packings ≤3 kg, 2017-2020

Tea production in packings of 3 kg or less in Malawi declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 45 173 tonnes, marking a moderate contraction of 6.3% compared to the previous year. Production peaked in 2018 at 50 588 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 11.0%.

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

Exports tea in packings ≤3 kg from Malawi

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Malawi's exports of tea in packings of 3 kg or less totalled 49.1 tonnes, representing a 12.7% increase year-over-year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 39.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -15.4%. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 43.6 tonnes, while the peak was recorded in 2018 at 125.4 tonnes. The largest annual decline occurred in 2019 at 65.2%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 54.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Zambia and South Africa accounted for the majority of Malawi's tea exports in kind, jointly representing 99.1% of total 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

Tea exports in packings of 3 kg or less from Malawi declined for the second consecutive year in value terms. In 2020, exports amounted to 39.3 thousand US dollars, down 48.7% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 71.3%, equating to an annualized rate of -34.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 149.9 thousand US dollars. The largest annual decline occurred in 2019 at 48.9%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 9.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Zambia played a leading role in Malawi's tea exports in value terms, accounting for 73.7% of total flows, with the remainder distributed among other partners.

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

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

Imports tea in packings ≤3 kg to Malawi

Imports in kind, t

Malawi's imports of tea in packings of 3 kg or less declined for the second consecutive year in volume. In 2020, import volume amounted to 30.8 tonnes, which is 19.1% lower than the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 7.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.5%. Imports peaked in 2018 at 46.3 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 39.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, South Africa was the dominant destination for Malawi's tea imports in kind, accounting for 85.0% of total flows, while the remaining share was distributed among 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 tea in packings of 3 kg or less declined for the second consecutive year in value terms. In 2020, imports amounted to 123.7 thousand US dollars, equivalent to a 47.1% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 33.7%, equating to an annualized rate of -12.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 252.7 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 35.3%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, South Africa remained the dominant and nearly sole destination for Malawi's tea imports in value terms, with a share of 91.0%.

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

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