Food imports (constant US$) in Malawi
Malawi: Food imports (constant US$) was 87.29 million constant US$ in 2009. ◆ Volatile
Food imports in Malawi, 1985–2009
Source: World Bank country economists. Measured in constant US$.
Analysis
The most recent figure for food imports in Malawi is 87.29 million constant US$, measured in 2009.
That represents a change of up 0.5% on the previous year and up 12.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, food imports in Malawi peaked at 128.82 million constant US$ in 1992 and was at its lowest, 0 constant US$, in 1985.
Malawi ranks 21st of 38 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Food imports (constant US$) in Malawi, year by year
| Year | constant US$ | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 0 constant US$ | — |
| 1986 | 0 constant US$ | — |
| 1987 | 2.04 million constant US$ | — |
| 1988 | 2.42 million constant US$ | +18.7% |
| 1989 | 3.45 million constant US$ | +42.7% |
| 1990 | 88.71 million constant US$ | +2472.6% |
| 1991 | 112.18 million constant US$ | +26.5% |
| 1992 | 128.82 million constant US$ | +14.8% |
| 1993 | 115.06 million constant US$ | -10.7% |
| 1994 | 90.73 million constant US$ | -21.1% |
| 1995 | 80.20 million constant US$ | -11.6% |
| 1996 | 99.80 million constant US$ | +24.4% |
| 1997 | 118.53 million constant US$ | +18.8% |
| 1998 | 82.89 million constant US$ | -30.1% |
| 1999 | 77.48 million constant US$ | -6.5% |
| 2000 | 58.93 million constant US$ | -23.9% |
| 2001 | 57.05 million constant US$ | -3.2% |
| 2002 | 79.87 million constant US$ | +40.0% |
| 2003 | 74.63 million constant US$ | -6.6% |
| 2004 | 82.98 million constant US$ | +11.2% |
| 2005 | 103.62 million constant US$ | +24.9% |
| 2006 | 100.26 million constant US$ | -3.2% |
| 2007 | 93.48 million constant US$ | -6.8% |
| 2008 | 86.87 million constant US$ | -7.1% |
| 2009 | 87.29 million constant US$ | +0.5% |
Malawi compared with similar countries
- Malawi's 87.29 million constant US$ is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 116.35 million constant US$, 75% of the median. (34 countries reporting)
- Malawi's 87.29 million constant US$ is above the median for low income countries, which is 62.24 million constant US$, 1.4× the median. (11 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Food imports (constant US$) in Malawi changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | +2472.6% | 3.45 million constant US$ | 88.71 million constant US$ |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 1.58 million constant US$ | 0 constant US$ | 3.45 million constant US$ | 5 |
| 1990s | 99.44 million constant US$ | 77.48 million constant US$ | 128.82 million constant US$ | 10 |
| 2000s | 82.50 million constant US$ | 57.05 million constant US$ | 103.62 million constant US$ | 10 |
Countries ranked near Malawi
- 18 Seychelles 192.22 million constant US$ compare
- 19 Mali 135.86 million constant US$ compare
- 20 Madagascar 96.84 million constant US$ compare
- 22 Eswatini 63.08 million constant US$ compare
- 23 Sierra Leone 62.24 million constant US$ compare
- 24 Gambia 43.10 million constant US$ compare
More trade data for Malawi
- Commodity Net Export Price Index, Individual Commodities Weighted by 116.66 (2025)
- Commodity Net Export Price Index, Individual Commodities Weighted by 100.91 (2025)
- Commodity Export Price Index, Individual Commodites Weighted by Ratio 99.6 (2025)
- Commodity Export Price Index, Individual Commodites Weighted by Ratio 87.67 (2025)
- Commodity Import Price Index, Individual Commodites Weighted by Ratio 98.71 (2025)
- Commodity Import Price Index, Individual Commodites Weighted by Ratio 65.94 (2025)
- Imports of low carbon technology products, Percent of GDP 0.7726 (2024)
- Imports of low carbon technology products, US dollar (World), per 4.21 units per person (2024)
- Imports of low carbon technology products, US dollar (World), per 0.0081 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Exports of low carbon technology products, US dollar (World), gaps 2.39 million (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is food imports in Malawi?
- Food imports in Malawi was 87.29 million constant US$ in 2009, according to World Bank country economists.
- What is the highest food imports recorded in Malawi?
- The highest recorded value was 128.82 million constant US$ in 1992.
- What is the lowest food imports recorded in Malawi?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 constant US$ in 1985.
- How does Malawi rank for food imports?
- Malawi ranks 21st out of 38 countries with data for 2009.
- Is food imports rising or falling in Malawi?
- Over the last ten years it is up 12.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Malawi data come from?
- The figures come from World Bank country economists, published as part of Food imports (constant US$). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 25 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data).
About this data
Food imports, cif (includes freight and insurance costs) in 1987 constant US dollars.