Maize prices in the country continue to rise in several districts three months after harvesting, drawing calls for the government to replenish strategic grain reserves to tame the prices.
The Nation spot-checks in some markets nationwide yesterday showed that some vendors in Nsanje and Chikwawa are selling the grain at K1 300 per kilogramme (kg), translating to K65 000 per 50 kg bag.
In Blantyre, Balaka, Mulanje, Mangochi and Lilongwe the prices are ranging from K59 000 to K60 000 per 50kg bag or K1 200 per kg.
On the other hand, vendors in Dedza, Karonga, Rumphi and Nkhata Bay said they were selling the commodity at prices ranging from K48 000 to 52 000 per 50kg bag.
In the wake of the fresh harvest in May, maize prices were averaging K46 400 to K46 650 per 50kg bag.
The rising prices come against a World Food Programme report made available to The Nation last month indicating that the country’s maize deficit had widened to 1.2 million metric tonnes (MT) from the initially projected 537 380 MT in the 2024/25 growing season.
In an interview yesterday, Consumers Association of Malawi executive director John Kapito said the prices will continue to rise as the lean period approaches.
He appealed to Ministry of Agriculture to ensure the country has enough maize stocks to contain any scarcities and higher prices.
“The only way consumers can be protected is when the market has a huge supply of maize beyond demand, that’s when we can expect stable prices,” said Kapito.
In a separate interview, Grain Traders Association president Grace Mijiga Mhango proposed that the government should allow private traders to import maize, but noted that foreign exchange challenges could be a hindrance.
“People need to physically see the movement of maize. Once that happens, even those who are hoarding maize will start selling,” she said.
State produce trader Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (Admarc) has been buying maize at K1 050 per kilogramme with a target of 70 000MT this year.
However, in an interview yesterday, Admarc chief executive officer Daniel Makata said they have this far purchased 15 140MT of maize from farmers.
On whether they will adjust prices to attract traders, Makata said they are monitoring prices on the market.
Minister of Agriculture Sam Kawale earlier told The Nation that the government is investing heavily in irrigation farming, promoting crop diversification and providing resources for local procurement of maize to fill the food deficit.
At least 6.8 million people, representing 33 percent of the population, are struggling to meet their basic needs, especially finding food, according to an International Food Policy Research Institute 2025 Global Report on Food Crises.
