Unroasted, not decaffeinated coffee market in Malawi

Earlier Report Observations

The market for unroasted, not decaffeinated coffee in Malawi stood at 10 829 t in 2018, a year when the sector was noted to have underlying capacity for production expansion. Market volume then contracted over the next two years, falling to 9 772 t by 2020.

A recovery phase began in 2021, with the market stabilizing at 9 795 t before a significant expansion to 10 787 t in 2022. By 2023, volume reached 10 833 t, returning close to its 2018 level.

In 2024, the government actively promoted the Buy Malawi Strategy to increase domestic coffee consumption, while the commodity remained a vital source of foreign exchange. Coffee exports rose markedly to 797 t that year.

Production unroasted, not decaffeinated coffee in Malawi

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of unroasted, not decaffeinated coffee, 2017-2020

World map of production of unroasted, not decaffeinated coffee, 2017-2020

Malawi's production of unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee has declined for the second year in a row. In 2019, output stood at 11 000 tonnes, but by 2020 it had fallen to 10 000 tonnes, representing a controlled decline of 9.1%. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production actually increased by 18.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.9%. The peak was reached in 2018 at 11 082 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 31.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

The value of Malawi's unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee production has also decreased for two consecutive years. In 2019, production was valued at 33 158 thousand US dollars, but in 2020 it dropped to 29 842 thousand US dollars, marking a moderate decline of 10.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 40 996 thousand US dollars, which experienced the largest annual increase of 36.1%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, falling by 19.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Malawi in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports unroasted, not decaffeinated coffee from Malawi

Exports in kind, t

Malawi's exports of unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee fell sharply in 2020. The country shipped 228.9 tonnes, down 46.3% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 65.4%, with an average annual decline of 29.8%. The largest drop was in 2018 at 61.3%, while 2019 saw the biggest increase of 66.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, the United States, and Asia (not elsewhere specified) were the top destinations for Malawi's unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee exports by volume. Germany accounted for 34.1% of exports, the United States for 19.0%, and Asia for 15.6%. Together, these three markets represented 68.8% 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

Export values showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. The highest level was recorded in 2017, while the lowest was in 2020, with a 3.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Malawi exported 683 thousand US dollars worth of unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee, reflecting a sharp drop of 46.8% from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 60.0%, and the biggest increase was in 2019 at 35.6%.

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

In value terms, Germany, the United States, and Asia (not elsewhere specified) were the principal markets for Malawi's unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee exports from 2017 to 2020. Together, they accounted for 70.5% 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 unroasted, not decaffeinated coffee to Malawi

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes were volatile during these years. They peaked in 2019 at 4.1 tonnes and fell to their lowest level in 2020 at 1.3 tonnes, resulting in a 3.2-fold difference. In 2020, Malawi imported 1.3 tonnes of unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee, indicating a steep decrease of 68.6% compared to 2019. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 36.7%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, South Africa dominated Malawi's imports of unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee by volume, holding a 71.7% share of total flows. Other markets accounted for the remaining portion.

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

Import values exhibited significant volatility. Levels fluctuated 9.1 times between the high in 2019 and the low in 2020. In 2020, foreign supplies of unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee to Malawi amounted to 2 thousand US dollars, corresponding to an abrupt decline of 89.0% from 2019. The maximum value was 14 thousand US dollars in 2019, which also saw the largest increase of 300.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa and Zambia formed a dominant pair for Malawi's imports of unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee in value terms. Together, they accounted for 94.6% of total import flows, with other countries making up the rest.

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

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