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What’s behind Malawi’s growing trade deficit—and what does the data tell us about where the economy is headed?
The latest EDF Trade Digest reviews Malawi’s merchandise trade performance for the first half of 2025. It looks at how exports and imports have shifted month by month, and compares this year’s trends to the same period in 2024.
The report shows that while exports picked up slightly in June, they remain low overall and heavily reliant on tobacco. Imports, on the other hand, stayed high—especially for fuel, fertiliser, and machinery—widening the trade gap and putting pressure on foreign exchange reserves.
It also breaks down what Malawi is trading, where the vulnerabilities lie, and what policy areas need attention.
