Broadly stable
Malawi Tobacco Production moved from 120.5 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 120 Thousand Tonnes in 2024 (−0.4%), an average of −0% a year. The series high was 128.2 Thousand Tonnes in 2019 and the low 82.96 Thousand Tonnes in 2017.
What Malawi Tobacco Production shows
Malawi Tobacco Production was 120 Thousand Tonnes in 2024, down 0.1% on 2023. Malawi Tobacco Production from 2015 to 2024 demonstrated fluctuations throughout the decade, reflecting changes in weather conditions, farming practices, global tobacco demand, and agricultural policies. Malawi recorded tobacco production of 120.479 thousand tonnes in 2015, followed by a decline to 109.151 thousand tonnes in 2016.
A 35.3% peak-to-trough swing
The gap between the series high (2019) and low (2017) is 45.24 Thousand Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was +35.5% in 2023.
Ranks 8 of 31 countries covered
Among the 31 countries in this dataset, Malawi ranks 8 for 2024, behind China (2,256 Thousand Tonnes) and India (727.2 Thousand Tonnes). It accounts for 2% of the global total in 2024.
Full series
Malawi Tobacco Production by year
Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Thousand Tonnes.
Scroll the table sideways to see all columns.
| Year | Thousand Tonnes | Change vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 120 | −0.1% |
| 2023 | 120.1 | +35.5% |
| 2022 | 88.58 | −10.2% |
| 2021 | 98.69 | −4.4% |
| 2020 | 103.2 | −19.5% |
| 2019Peak | 128.2 | +34.5% |
| 2018 | 95.36 | +14.9% |
| 2017 Trough | 82.96 | −24% |
| 2016 | 109.2 | −9.4% |
| 2015 | 120.5 | — |
Regional context
How Malawi compares in Africa
Tobacco Production by country, 2024, Thousand Tonnes. Malawi is highlighted.
1Zimbabwe236.8
2Malawi120
3Tanzania117.5
4Zambia20.77
5South Africa11.23
6Nigeria5.58
Data definition
Inclusions and exclusions
Tobacco Production — Tobacco production refers to the total quantity of raw, unmanufactured tobacco leaves harvested from tobacco crops within a country or region during a specific year, generally measured in tonnes. It represents the agricultural output generated through the cultivation, growth, and harvesting of tobacco plants for commercial use. This macro indicator tracks changes in tobacco farming activities, production volumes, cultivation practices, harvested area, and yield performance over time, providing insights into the scale and trends of tobacco crop production across different regions.
Tobacco production includes the annual harvested quantity of raw tobacco leaves from commercially cultivated tobacco plants. It covers major tobacco varieties such as flue-cured, burley, oriental, and other types grown by small-scale farmers and large agricultural producers. The indicator includes tobacco crops produced within national boundaries for use in the manufacturing of cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, pipe tobacco, and other processed tobacco products. It accounts for agricultural activities related to cultivation, harvesting, and primary crop output measured in tonnes.
Tobacco production excludes processed tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, and other finished tobacco goods. It does not include tobacco manufacturing, packaging, distribution, retail sales, consumption, imports, or exports of tobacco products. The indicator also excludes synthetic nicotine products, non-tobacco nicotine alternatives, experimental tobacco cultivation, and broader economic measures such as tobacco industry revenue, employment, market value, or trade statistics.
About this indicator
Tobacco Production — Tobacco production refers to the total quantity of raw, unmanufactured tobacco leaves harvested from tobacco crops within a country or region during a specific year, generally measured in tonnes. It represents the agricultural output generated through the cultivation, growth, and harvesting of tobacco plants for commercial use. This macro indicator tracks changes in tobacco farming activities, production volumes, cultivation practices, harvested area, and yield performance over time, providing insights into the scale and trends of tobacco crop production across different regions.
Production decreased further in 2017, reaching 82.964 thousand tonnes, before recovering to 95.356 thousand tonnes in 2018. In 2019, output increased significantly to 128.207 thousand tonnes, representing the highest production level during the first half of the period. However, production declined to 103.245 thousand tonnes in 2020 and continued decreasing slightly to 98.692 thousand tonnes in 2021. In 2022, Malawi recorded tobacco production of 88.579 thousand tonnes, followed by a strong recovery to 120.056 thousand tonnes in 2023. Production remained almost stable in 2024 at 119.95729 thousand tonnes. The overall trend indicates that Malawi maintained a strong position as one of Africa’s leading tobacco producers despite annual variations. Tobacco cultivation plays a significant role in Malawi’s agricultural economy, supporting rural livelihoods, employment opportunities, and export earnings. The country is particularly known for producing burley tobacco, which is widely demanded in international markets due to its quality characteristics. However, the sector faces challenges such as climate variability, rising input costs, dependence on smallholder farmers, and increasing global pressure to reduce tobacco consumption. Farmers have focused on improving productivity, adopting better cultivation techniques, and maintaining quality standards to remain competitive. The recovery in production during 2023 and 2024 highlights the resilience of Malawi’s tobacco sector. Despite challenges, tobacco continues to be an important agricultural commodity, contributing significantly to the country’s export-oriented farming system and rural economic development.
- Indicator
- Tobacco Production
- Country
- Malawi
- Region
- Africa
- Unit
- Thousand Tonnes
- Coverage
- 2015–2024, annual
- Category
- Agriculture
- Last updated
- July 2026
- Source
- Our World in Data
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Frequently asked questions
What is Malawi Tobacco Production?
Tobacco production refers to the total quantity of raw, unmanufactured tobacco leaves harvested from tobacco crops within a country or region during a specific year, generally measured in tonnes. It represents the agricultural output generated through the cultivation, growth, and harvesting of tobacco plants for commercial use. This macro indicator tracks changes in tobacco farming activities, production volumes, cultivation practices, harvested area, and yield performance over time, providing insights into the scale and trends of tobacco crop production across different regions.
What was Malawi Tobacco Production in 2024?
Malawi Tobacco Production was 120 Thousand Tonnes in 2024, down 0.1% on 2023.
How has Malawi Tobacco Production changed between 2015 and 2024?
Malawi Tobacco Production moved from 120.5 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 120 Thousand Tonnes in 2024 (−0.4%), an average of −0% a year. The series high was 128.2 Thousand Tonnes in 2019 and the low 82.96 Thousand Tonnes in 2017.
Which year had the highest and lowest Malawi Tobacco Production?
The highest value was 128.2 Thousand Tonnes in 2019 and the lowest was 82.96 Thousand Tonnes in 2017.
What does the Malawi Tobacco Production data include and exclude?
Included: Tobacco production includes the annual harvested quantity of raw tobacco leaves from commercially cultivated tobacco plants. It covers major tobacco varieties such as flue-cured, burley, oriental, and other types grown by small-scale farmers and large agricultural producers. The indicator includes tobacco crops produced within national boundaries for use in the manufacturing of cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, pipe tobacco, and other processed tobacco products. It accounts for agricultural activities related to cultivation, harvesting, and primary crop output measured in tonnes. Excluded: Tobacco production excludes processed tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, and other finished tobacco goods. It does not include tobacco manufacturing, packaging, distribution, retail sales, consumption, imports, or exports of tobacco products. The indicator also excludes synthetic nicotine products, non-tobacco nicotine alternatives, experimental tobacco cultivation, and broader economic measures such as tobacco industry revenue, employment, market value, or trade statistics.
Where does the Malawi Tobacco Production data come from?
The series is sourced from Our World in Data (https://ourworldindata.org/explorers/global-food?tab=table&Food=Tobacco&Metric=Production&Per+capita=false&country=USA~DEU~FRA~GBR~BRA~ZAF%3BhideControls). It covers 2015–2024 and is reported in Thousand Tonnes.
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