Malawi’s cotton industry has seen a dramatic resurgence during the 2024/25 farming season, providing new optimism for farmers and opening fresh economic opportunities for the country’s struggling textile and agro-industrial sectors.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture’s Second Round Crop Estimates, cotton production has climbed by an impressive 177.2 percent, jumping from 6,147 metric tonnes in 2023/24 to 17,037 metric tonnes this season. This marks one of the highest growth rates among major crops this year.
The surge has been especially significant for smallholder farmers, many based in the Lower Shire and lakeshore districts, where cotton farming is a key livelihood. Improved input support has been credited for sparking renewed interest in what is often called Malawi’s “white gold.”
Cotton has long been recognized as a strategic crop for Malawi, offering not only a source of income for rural communities but also potential to revive the domestic textile sector, create jobs, and lower the country’s reliance on imported fabrics and clothing.
Despite the impressive rebound, current production remains 17.6 percent below the five-year average of 20,666 metric tonnes, highlighting that a full recovery is still underway. Experts stress that further investment in irrigation systems, price stabilization measures, and value-chain development will be essential to sustain growth.
If the momentum continues, the production could become a key driver in diversifying Malawi’s agriculture-heavy economy, boosting rural incomes, and helping the country shift from a raw cotton exporter to a textile producer.
As Malawi seeks to maximize the potential of high-impact cash crops, the 2025 production boom may well mark a crucial turning point for both farmers and the broader economy.