Kazakhstan eyes Malawi as first wheat market in Sub-Saharan Africa

MALAWI – Kazakhstan is looking to expand its wheat exports into Sub-Saharan Africa through Malawi, potentially opening the country’s first wheat market in the region as Astana seeks to diversify its growing grain export destinations.

The opportunity was discussed during recent talks between Kazakhstan and Malawi on agricultural cooperation and food security, with potential supplies of Kazakh wheat to Malawi identified as an area of interest.

The discussions come shortly after Kazakhstan and Malawi formally established diplomatic relations.

The two countries signed a joint communiqué on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on 25 September 2026.

Agriculture and food security were among the sectors identified for closer cooperation, alongside mining, digitalization and education.

For Kazakhstan, a deal with Malawi would mark a significant geographical expansion of its wheat trade in Africa.

Kazakh wheat exports to the continent have historically been concentrated in North Africa. In 2025, Kazakhstan exported about 494,000 tonnes of wheat and meslin to African markets, up sharply from approximately 7,700 tonnes in 2021. Algeria, Morocco and Egypt were the main destinations, accounting for most of those shipments.

Malawi, meanwhile, remains dependent on imported wheat to supply its milling and food-processing industries.

According to World Bank trade data, Malawi imported wheat and meslin worth about US$58.5 million in 2024.

Russia was the largest supplier at US$26.1 million, followed by Latvia at US$14.9 million and Canada at US$10.5 million.

More recent trade data cited by UkrAgroConsult show that Malawi imported approximately 73,000 tonnes of wheat worth US$35 million in 2025.

Australia and Russia dominated supplies, together accounting for about 95% of the country’s imports.

This concentration provides Kazakhstan with an opportunity to establish itself as an additional supplier if commercial and logistical conditions are favourable.

Kazakhstan has considerable export capacity. The Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that the country produced about 18 million tonnes of wheat in 2025, around 20% above its five-year average.

Cereal exports for the 2025/26 marketing year are forecast at about 10 million tonnes, including approximately 9 million tonnes of wheat and 1 million tonnes of barley.

Although no specific supply agreement has yet been announced, successful shipments to Malawi could give Kazakhstan a foothold in Sub-Saharan Africa and create a platform for broader agricultural trade with the region.

Sign up to HERE receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.