Minister of Trade and Industry, Eng. Vitumbiko Mumba, has expressed concern over Malawi’s continued importation of bananas despite having the resources and land to grow them locally.
Speaking at a one-day Banana Growers Conference held in Lilongwe, Mumba revealed that Malawi imports approximately 430 tonnes of bananas every week — with 200 tonnes consumed in Blantyre, 150 in Lilongwe, and 90 in Mzuzu. He pointed out that neighboring countries are profiting from Malawi’s unmet demand, while the country itself has the potential to be self-sufficient.
“We have not been able to produce enough bananas to feed our country due to the effects of climate change and plant diseases. This conference is aimed at finding practical solutions to help Malawi increase its banana production,” Mumba said.
He directed that a Banana Growers Association be established as a platform to address industry challenges, including production shortfalls and market inefficiencies.
Mumba also stressed the need for partnerships between farmers, financial institutions, researchers, processors, and policymakers to create a sustainable banana value chain in the country.
Frank Washoni, a representative of banana growers, echoed these concerns, noting that limited access to financing and lack of a structured market were major hurdles.
“With enough resources, we can address climate challenges through irrigation, but irrigation itself is expensive,” Washoni added.
The conference, themed “From Farm to Market: Advancing Banana Sector Growth through Inclusion, Reform, and Collaboration”, brought together key stakeholders and ministries to explore strategies for revitalizing Malawi’s banana sector.
