Maize prices increased by eight percent in July to K791 per kilogramme (kg) or K39 550 per 50kg bag from the post-harvest lowest price of K731 per kg in June, according to the International Food Policy Research Institute (Ifpri).
The Ifpri Maize Market Report for July 2026, however, indicated that the continued maize imports have helped to stabilise supply of the grain and control domestic prices from rising further.
During the same period last year, the price of the staple grain was recorded at K1 169 per kg or K58 450 per 50kg bag.
The report further shows that in July, the average maize prices peaked at K866 per kg in the Southern Region compared with K773 per kg in the Central Region and K618 per kg in the Northern Region.
Reads the report in part: “Despite the weakening of the Malawi kwacha vis-à-vis its Zambian counterpart at informal exchange rates used in most cross-border trade, import parity prices of maize remained well below domestic prices, providing an effective cap on the retail prices of maize in Malawi.”
In an interview on Sunday, Centre for Social Concern economic governance programme officer Agnes Nyirongo observed that the recent maize price drop was temporal and to ensure price stability in long run, there is need to address the structural problems within the country’s agricultural sector.
She said investing in irrigation and climate-resilient farming practices is critical to reducing dependence on rain-fed agriculture while expanding storage and agro-processing infrastructure, including modern silos and warehouse receipt systems to reduce post-harvest losses and smooth seasonal price variations.
Said Nyirongo: “Sustainable price stability will depend on long-term investments that strengthen production, improve market efficiency and enhance resilience.
“Without such measures, low-income families will continue to shoulder the heaviest burden of inflation despite occasional market improvements.”
Last week, Alliance for a Green Revolution (Agra) projected that Malawi’s maize prices are set to increase to about K1 270 per kg between October 2026 and March 2027, a situation likely to exert pressure on household incomes.
In its July Food Security Monitor Report, Agra cited the rising prices of fertiliser, seed and transport, kwacha fluctuations, global market pressures and the impending El Nino weather condition as some of the factors to drive the price.
The report further warns that as rural and urban households deplete their own-produced food stocks, they will increasingly depend on market purchases, exposing them to high food prices and inflation.
Reads the report: “Elevated maize prices are likely to be driven by high production costs, including expensive fertiliser and improved seed, increased transportation costs associated with fuel shortages and high fuel prices, continued depreciation of the kwacha and global market dynamics.”
The report further said that declining tobacco sales volumes and prices are reducing rural incomes and labour demand while fuel prices, despite recent reductions, remain above previous levels, contributing to higher transport and distribution costs.”
In the 2026/27 National Budget, the Malawi Government allocated about K100 billion to the National Food Reserve Agency to buy maize while Agriculture Development and Market Corporation Limited is expected to receive a total of K60 billion to buy the grain and stock its markets as part of efforts to stabilise prices.
