While the inefficient transport infrastructure in the region is an informal non-tariff barrier to oil imports, sunflower oil from South Africa still reaches Malawi at a cheaper price than local products and is of a better quality.22 While quality issues are being targeted proactively, in the interim this creates inefficiencies.
Is there a demand for sunflower in Malawi?
However, there is increasing demand for sunflower in the country. The sunflower trade balance is -$2,894,000 in Malawi, with other edible oils also showing negative balances,13 reflecting a net overall deficit of edible oil production domestically.
Can Malawi develop a domestic sunflower value chain?
This policy briefing seeks to explore the potential for developing a domestic sunflower value chain (VC) in Malawi. It examines the different but interconnected roles that various stages of the VC play in driving the sunflower industry as a whole in Malawi, highlighting current bottlenecks and positive developments.
What happened to sunflower production in Malawi?
Sunflower production in Malawi peaked in the 1990s, but the industry collapsed after the only significant buyer left the market and prices plummeted.10 This history still informs a lingering pessimistic attitude around sunflower production to this day. community crushers, who sell the unrefined oil to local communities.