Factors affecting the development of non-traditional export: a case study of the cut flower industry in Malawi

Abstract

Malawi has a narrow export base comprised mainly of tobacco, tea and sugar as the main sources of foreign currency. Cut flowers were identified as one of the export products that could help wean the country's economy off its high dependency on tobacco leaf exports. The decreasing price of tobacco at the auction floors coupled with new anti smoking legislations worldwide has made alternative crops exports critical. The main objective of this research was to ascertain the state of the Malawian cut flower industry by; examining the developmental trajectory followed by the Malawian export cut flower industry over the last ten years; identifying the various factors inhibiting the growth of the Malawian export cut flower industry; recommending appropriate interventions and strategy to support vigorous growth of the sector in future.