Treenuts market in Malawi

Earlier Report Observations

The Malawian treenuts market volume expanded from 3,138 t in 2018 to a peak of 3,813 t in 2020. This growth was supported by the operational launch of the government's Agricultural Commercialisation (AGCOM) Project, which aimed to transform smallholder farming into commercial production for value chains including macadamia nuts. Initiatives to strengthen linkages between farmers, research, and buyers, highlighted by the Farmers Union of Malawi's international learning exchange, contributed to improving production systems and market access during this period.

Following the 2020 peak, the domestic market volume contracted sharply to 1,174 t by 2023. This decline coincided with a sustained increase in export volumes, which rose from 2,470 t in 2021 to 4,156 t in 2023, redirecting supply away from the local market. Government plans to establish export-oriented megafarms for macadamia and efforts to remove production and export barriers encouraged this outward shift. Furthermore, the Malawi Revenue Authority's updates to customs tariffs and regulations in 2023 affected trade flows, while a local firm secured a significant export contract for groundnuts to Kenya, illustrating the focus on external markets.

In 2024, the government reinforced its ambition to become a leading global macadamia exporter, with high-level visits to processing estates and discussions with India to address tariff barriers affecting nut exports. Broader agricultural market conditions were influenced by inflationary pressures and challenges in staple food stocks, which impacted overall sector dynamics. Continued policy emphasis on improving productivity, quality control, and export competitiveness under national development frameworks shaped the market environment.

Production treenuts in Malawi

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of treenuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of treenuts, 2017-2020

Malawi's treenuts production increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 5 319 tonnes of treenuts, marking a 3.4% rise compared to the previous year. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production actually decreased by 10.6%, which translates to an average annual decline of 3.7%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 4 886 tonnes, when output fell by 17.9%—the largest decline during this timeframe. In contrast, 2019 saw the biggest increase, with production growing by 5.3%.

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

Exports treenuts from Malawi

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Malawi's treenuts exports declined in 2020. Shipments totaled 1 651 tonnes, down 15.9% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports overall increased by 16%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.1%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 963 tonnes. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, when exports surged by 33.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, South Africa, and the Netherlands were the top buyers of treenuts from Malawi. The United States accounted for 27.9% of exports in volume, South Africa for 27.1%, and the Netherlands for 23.6%. Together, these three markets represented 78.6% of Malawi's total treenuts exports by volume during this period.

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 showed significant volatility over these years. Exports in value terms peaked in 2019 and hit their lowest point in 2017, with a two-fold difference between these extremes. In 2020, Malawi exported treenuts worth 21 244 thousand US dollars, a decrease of 30.6% compared to the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 30 617 thousand US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2018, when export value jumped by 78.8%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, South Africa, the Netherlands, and the United States were the key destinations for Malawi's treenuts exports in value terms. South Africa led with 30.6% of the total export value, followed by the Netherlands at 26.4% and the United States at 26.0%. Combined, these three markets accounted for 83.0% of Malawi's total treenuts export revenue during this timeframe.

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

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

Imports treenuts to Malawi

Imports in kind, t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Import volumes reached their highest point in 2019 and their lowest in 2017, with a 5.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Malawi imported 145 tonnes of treenuts, representing a solid drop of 10.7% from the previous year. The maximum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 162 tonnes. The largest increase occurred in 2018, when imports surged by 468.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Zimbabwe and South Africa were the dominant sources for treenuts imports to Malawi, jointly accounting for 82.7% of total imports by volume. The remaining volume was distributed among 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

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout this timeframe. Import values peaked in 2019 and bottomed out in 2017, with a 6.5-fold variation between these extremes. In 2020, Malawi's treenuts imports totaled 466 thousand US dollars, indicating a robust drop of 18.2% compared to the previous year. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 569 thousand US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2018, when import value soared by 475.2%.

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

In 2017 to 2020, Zimbabwe and South Africa played the leading roles in Malawi's treenuts imports by value, together taking 86.8% of total import flows. The remainder was distributed among other destinations.

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

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