Malawi: 'Malawi's Exports Have Fallen Off a Cliff' - Minister Mbilizi Sounds Alarm As Agriculture Sector Plunges Into Crisis

What the report says

Malawi’s agriculture sector is under renewed scrutiny after Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development Minister Roza Mbilizi warned that the country’s export base has weakened sharply. The remarks were made at the opening of the three-day 22nd National Agriculture Fair in Blantyre, where officials, business leaders and farmers gathered to discuss ways to improve productivity and market access.

According to figures cited at the event, Malawi’s exports fell by 31% between 2014 and 2023, while the number of exporting firms has dropped well below levels seen in other African countries. The report also said only a small share of new exporters remain in business beyond their first and second years, underscoring persistent challenges in scaling up trade. Tobacco remains the dominant export, which the World Bank-linked material described as leaving the economy exposed to risk.

The article said several major export opportunities have underperformed because of quality, volume and production constraints. It also noted that maize yields remain far below national targets, despite agriculture receiving more than 10% of the national budget. Mbilizi said Malawi needs to move beyond producing more crops and focus on value creation, business growth and stronger links to markets.

Other speakers pointed to high power and transport costs, low awareness of agricultural inputs such as lime, and limited private-sector growth. Government representatives highlighted support measures including credit, guarantees and donor-backed agricultural commercialisation programmes. The fair, themed around innovation, value addition and market linkages, brought together 77 exhibitors in Blantyre.