Agricultural raw materials imports in Malawi
Malawi: Agricultural raw materials imports was 2.7% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Agricultural raw materials imports in Malawi, 1966–2024
Source: Comtrade database, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Statistics Division. Measured in % of merchandise imports.
Analysis
Malawi recorded 2.7% for agricultural raw materials imports in 2024.
That represents a change of down 21.7% on the previous year and up 34.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, agricultural raw materials imports in Malawi peaked at 3.4% in 2023 and was at its lowest, 0.4%, in 1987.
Malawi ranks 10th of 196 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Agricultural raw materials imports in Malawi, year by year
| Year | % of merchandise imports | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1966 | 0.6% | — |
| 1967 | 1.0% | +65.6% |
| 1968 | 1.2% | +14.0% |
| 1969 | 1.4% | +19.8% |
| 1970 | 1.1% | -19.9% |
| 1971 | 1.0% | -8.0% |
| 1972 | 0.9% | -12.0% |
| 1973 | 1.1% | +21.1% |
| 1974 | 1.0% | -4.3% |
| 1975 | 1.1% | +4.8% |
| 1976 | 0.8% | -25.5% |
| 1977 | 0.7% | -19.5% |
| 1978 | 0.6% | -10.5% |
| 1979 | 0.7% | +19.2% |
| 1980 | 1.0% | +48.3% |
| 1981 | 0.8% | -19.8% |
| 1982 | 1.3% | +52.0% |
| 1983 | 1.5% | +22.4% |
| 1984 | 2.1% | +37.2% |
| 1985 | 1.5% | -31.1% |
| 1986 | 0.9% | -35.6% |
| 1987 | 0.4% | -54.6% |
| 1990 | 0.8% | +89.1% |
| 1991 | 0.4% | -45.9% |
| 1994 | 0.7% | +50.2% |
| 1995 | 0.6% | -8.2% |
| 1999 | 1.3% | +115.0% |
| 2000 | 1.5% | +18.7% |
| 2001 | 1.7% | +11.7% |
| 2002 | 1.1% | -38.2% |
| 2003 | 1.3% | +26.8% |
| 2004 | 1.1% | -19.7% |
| 2005 | 1.0% | -5.2% |
| 2006 | 1.0% | -2.5% |
| 2007 | 1.1% | +5.8% |
| 2008 | 0.9% | -12.3% |
| 2009 | 1.0% | +8.8% |
| 2010 | 1.1% | +10.5% |
| 2011 | 1.2% | +10.5% |
| 2012 | 1.1% | -14.4% |
| 2013 | 1.5% | +43.0% |
| 2014 | 2.0% | +32.0% |
| 2015 | 2.2% | +13.0% |
| 2016 | 2.1% | -6.6% |
| 2017 | 2.3% | +8.8% |
| 2018 | 2.5% | +8.4% |
| 2019 | 2.3% | -6.2% |
| 2020 | 2.7% | +16.8% |
| 2021 | 2.8% | +4.9% |
| 2022 | 2.4% | -15.6% |
| 2023 | 3.4% | +42.3% |
| 2024 | 2.7% | -21.7% |
Malawi compared with similar countries
- Malawi's 2.7% is above the median for low income countries, which is 1.1%, 2.4× the median. (22 countries reporting)
- Malawi's 2.7% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 0.9%, 2.9× the median. (46 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 1.0% | 0.6% | 1.4% | 4 |
| 1970s | 0.9% | 0.6% | 1.1% | 10 |
| 1980s | 1.2% | 0.4% | 2.1% | 8 |
| 1990s | 0.8% | 0.4% | 1.3% | 5 |
| 2000s | 1.2% | 0.9% | 1.7% | 10 |
| 2010s | 1.8% | 1.1% | 2.5% | 10 |
| 2020s | 2.8% | 2.4% | 3.4% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Malawi
More agriculture & rural data for Malawi
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), annual 24.6 % change on previous year (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), per 0.3003 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), per 201.66 current US$ per person (2025)
- Rural population, annual growth rate 2.19 % change on previous year (2025)
- Rural population, per unit of GDP 0.0012 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Rural population, per capita 0.8241 units per person (2025)
- Share of GDP from agriculture 30.0% (2025)
- Agriculture as a share of GDP vs. GDP per capita 30.0% (2025)
- Agricultural raw materials exports 0.9% (2024)
- Rural population 82.4% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is agricultural raw materials imports in Malawi?
- Agricultural raw materials imports in Malawi was 2.7% in 2024, according to Comtrade database, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Statistics Division.
- What is the highest agricultural raw materials imports recorded in Malawi?
- The highest recorded value was 3.4% in 2023.
- What is the lowest agricultural raw materials imports recorded in Malawi?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.4% in 1987.
- How does Malawi rank for agricultural raw materials imports?
- Malawi ranks 10th out of 196 countries with data for 2024.
- Is agricultural raw materials imports rising or falling in Malawi?
- Over the last ten years it is up 34.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Malawi data come from?
- The figures come from Comtrade database, United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Statistics Division, published as part of Agricultural raw materials imports (% of merchandise imports). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Agricultural raw materials comprise section 2 of SITC Rev. 3 (crude materials, inedible, except fuels) excluding divisions 22 (oil-seeds and oleaginous fruits), 27 (crude fertilizers and minerals excluding coal, petroleum, and precious stones), and 28 (metalliferous ores and scrap). This indicator is expressed as a percentage of merchandise imports which is comprised of goods whose economic ownership is changed between a non-resident and a resident and that are not included in the following specific categories: goods under merchanting, non-monetary gold, and parts of travel, construction, and government goods and services n.i.e.