diff --git a/tests/kafkatest/tests/core/upgrade_test.py b/tests/kafkatest/tests/core/upgrade_test.py
index c9236ee9e8f..bfbb5b3a607 100644
--- a/tests/kafkatest/tests/core/upgrade_test.py
+++ b/tests/kafkatest/tests/core/upgrade_test.py
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ class TestUpgrade(ProduceConsumeValidateTest):
         self.zk.start()
 
         # Producer and consumer
-        self.producer_throughput = 10000
+        self.producer_throughput = 1000
         self.num_producers = 1
         self.num_consumers = 1