30/10/2026
From Protocols to Exports: Malawi’s Macadamia Breakthrough in China
Malawi is making progress in expanding access to international markets for its agricultural products, with Tropha Estates Limited successfully exporting approximately 250 tonnes of macadamia nuts to China. The milestone highlights the potential of international market access arrangements to generate export earnings and create new opportunities for Malawian businesses.
The breakthrough follows the signing of a phytosanitary protocol between Malawi and China in June 2025, which paved the way for Malawian macadamia exports to the Chinese market. The agreement is opening new opportunities for local producers to supply one of the world’s largest markets.
Tropha Estates Limited, a subsidiary of UK-based investor Jacoma Estates Limited, has become the first Malawian company to complete a commercial shipment of macadamia nuts to China under these arrangements. Based in Northern Malawi, the company produces macadamia nuts and spice crops, including paprika and bird’s eye chilli.
The achievement builds on Tropha Estates’ pioneering contribution to Malawi’s agricultural sector. The company developed Malawi’s first fully irrigated commercial macadamia farm and was also the first in the country to trial the MCT1 macadamia variety on a commercial scale. Its successful entry into the Chinese market marks another milestone in its efforts to expand production and open new international markets for Malawi’s macadamia industry.
Speaking on the achievement, Tropha Estates Limited Managing Director Duncan McDavid said, “We are proud to have completed Malawi’s first commercial shipment of macadamia nuts to China under the new market access arrangements. This is an important milestone for Tropha, but more importantly it demonstrates the opportunity for Malawi to expand its agricultural exports into one of the world’s largest markets. We hope this shipment is the start of a growing and sustainable trade relationship that creates further opportunities for Malawi’s macadamia industry and wider agricultural sector.”
Tropha Estates also acknowledged the support of the Malawi Investment and Trade Centre (MITC), the Malawi Value Chains Programme and various Government agencies in facilitating market access and establishing the necessary export procedures.
Commenting on the milestone, the Acting Director General of MITC, Mr Bisa Namarika, said, “This achievement demonstrates the importance of translating phytosanitary agreements and market access arrangements into tangible export opportunities for Malawian businesses. We commend Tropha Estates for pioneering this shipment and contributing to the growth of Malawi’s agricultural exports. MITC remains committed to supporting exporters to navigate export procedures, understand international market-entry requirements and take advantage of opportunities in global markets.”
Building on the progress made through the signing of the phytosanitary protocols, MITC has registered Naming’omba and other Malawian businesses for the export registration process, while two additional companies are undergoing registration to access the Chinese market. MITC is encouraging macadamia producers and other businesses across the value chain to come forward for assistance with registration and guidance on the requirements for exporting to China. These efforts aim to enable more local producers to access the market, increase exports and strengthen Malawi’s presence in international agricultural trade.
Beyond macadamia nuts, China has also opened market access opportunities for other Malawian products, including soya, aquatic animals, chilli, castor oil and groundnuts. These opportunities offer further potential to diversify Malawi’s exports and connect local producers with international buyers. MITC encourages businesses producing these commodities to seek guidance on the applicable export requirements and procedures.
The successful shipment demonstrates how collaboration between Government, the private sector and development partners can translate market access agreements into tangible commercial opportunities. With macadamia exports to China now underway, more businesses pursuing registration and additional agricultural products eligible for export, Malawi has an opportunity to increase export earnings, strengthen agricultural value chains and expand its participation in international trade.
