Tea output dropped by 59 percent in December 2025 to hit 900 000 kilogrammes (kg) from 2.2 million kg the previous month, making it one of the lowest production in recent months, according to the Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM).
The drop in output, which was below 3.2 million kg in corresponding period last year, resulted in a decline in earnings to $692 400 (about K1.21 billion) from $726 400 (K1.27 billion) the previous month despite a marginal increase in average price, according to the RBM Monthly Economic Review for November 2025.
Reads part of the report: “Tea sales declined marginally to 611 900 kg in November 2025 from 649 900 kg sold in the preceding month.
“The average price of tea slightly rose to $1.13 [about K1 979] per kg from $1.12 [about K1 961] per kg registered in the previous month.”
Tea output has been low for the past f five months due to weather-related factors, according to the Tea Association of Malawi (Taml) as dry weather affects tea development.
Taml chibef executive officer Tonda Chinangwa said in an interview on Sunday that the industry expects improvements during this rainy season because of good weather conditions.
He said: “This is the normal annual tea production trend in Malawi. Production is typically higher in the first quarter then drops during the second and third quarters, before picking up again in the fourth quarter. This pattern is mainly driven by rainfall distribution.”
In a separate interview on Sunday, Trust Africa programme officer Beatrice Makwenda said they have engaged in a number of initiatives to boost tea output to strengthen smallholder institutions.
“The tea sector is decisively working towards improving both production and productivity by strengthening smallholder institutions,” she said.
Makwenda, whose firm is a key tea industry stakeholder that advocates for better collaboration between workers and companies, said the changes in industry practice coupled with research programmes targeting modern varieties and technologies will result in ethical tea production, which will sustain current markets and open new opportunities.
Taml board chairperson Sangwani Hara told a tea testing event in London, UK last year that enhanced trade can provide a good alternative to aid and development assistance through increased exports.
Tea is one of Malawi’s top foreign exchange earners, contributing about eight percent to foreign exchange earnings and 11 percent to the total national employment.
The tea industry employs more than 60 000 temporary and permanent workers.
