Maize prices in the country went up by an average three percent in September in a continuation of the upward trend observed since July with prices in some markets hitting K1 200 per kilogramme (kg).
The International Food Policy Research Institute (Ifpri) said in its September 2026 market report that prices went up from K966 per kg during the final week of August to K997 per kg by the end of September.
“Maize prices averaged K796 per kg in the Northern Region, K961 in the Central Region and K1 088 in the Southern Region,” reads the report.
Of the 31 markets Ifpri monitored, 24 recorded prices above the government’s minimum farm-gate price of K900 per kg.
In the report, Ifpri also observed that Malawi continued to import more maize than it exported through most monitored border locations, except at Jenda in Mzimba and Marka in Nsanje, where limited exports were recorded.
The Nation spot-checks indicate that consumers in some markets are paying more, with prices reaching K1 200 per kg in parts of Blantyre.
At Nkhata Bay Boma, a 20-litre bucket of maize is selling at K19 000 while at Mhuju Trading Centre in Rumphi, the same quantity costs K13 000, up from K10 000 in July.
In Salima, maize is selling at between K1 100 and K1 200 per kg at the Boma while at Namikasi Trading Centre near Mdeka in Blantyre, prices range from K1 100 to K1 200 per kg. On the other hand, at Minimini Trading Centre in Mulanje, maize is selling at K1 100 per kg.
Tiyamike Robert from Minimini in Mulanje said further price increases would make it increasingly difficult for her to afford food.
“I usually sell fruits to raise money for maize, but the fruits are not yet ripe enough for harvesting, which worries me,” she said.
The rising prices come as the lean season, which spans from October to March, gets under way, with households facing increasing pressure to secure food ahead of the next harvest.
In an interview yesterday, Grain Traders Association of Malawi president Grace Mijiga-Mhango attributed regional price differences partly to variations in demand and supply, saying the Northern Region benefits from maize supplies from neighbouring Tanzania and Zambia, while the Southern Region faces supply pressure.
She said maize prices are averaging K1 200 per kg in the South and K1 100 in the Central Region, but demand will likely push prices higher as the rainy season progresses.
“Prices could rise to between K1 300 and K1 500 per kg if the government does not intervene by increasing maize supplies through Admarc,” said Mijiga-Mhango.
Consumers Association of Malawi executive director John Kapito also called on Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (Admarc) to take a proactive role in the market to help stabilise maize supplies and prices.
In the K10.9 trillion 2026/27 National Budget that rolled out on April 1 this year, Treasury allocated K60 billion to Admarc to procure commercial maize and other crops, with the corporation previously indicating that it was targeting 65 000 metric tonnes (MT) of maize.
Admarc spokesperson Theresa Chapulapula in September said the corporation had purchased 3 701.173MT of maize after the government released K5 billion.
She also revealed in July that the State grain trader was keeping about 22 500 metric tonnes to cushion Malawians from possible food shortages during the forecasted El Niño conditions.
The developments come as the 2026 Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee food security assessment projects that 2.6 million people will face hunger during the 2026/27 lean period.
The Department of Disaster Management Affairs is expected to begin distributing maize in November under the Lean Season Food Insecurity Response.
