Macadamia

As of 2023, there are 15 large growers of macadamia and five processing factories focused on serving export markets, with production on 11,000 hectares (ha) and exports of 2,236 MT worth $23.7 million in 2022. Malawi has enjoyed a good reputation for the quality of its macadamia in the world market, however the increased volumes of nuts from multiple origins led to a major price fall in the 2022-23, which has undermined the value of exports in the latest years.

The Malawi Macadamia Association (MMA) continues to provide crucial support in its role as a coordinating body.

Malawi’s Macadamia Value Chain

Macadamia has been commercially grown for 40 years in Malawi, primarily as a secondary crop on long established tea estates in Southern Region. This was supplemented by a number of smallholders schemes. In the last eight years Malawi’s production has been augmented by large-scale dedicated macadamia plantations, in Central and Northern Regions. In addition, there are mid-sized commercial farms that have planted macadamia, with plans for additional growth. The industry now encompasses a diverse range of producers.