Maize prices rising steadily, now at K27 000 per bag

Consumers are still digging deeper in their pockets to afford a kilogramme (kg) of maize, which is fetching as much as K543 in some produce markets.

This translates to K27 150 per 50 kg bag, an amount out of reach of a majority of consumers earning a minimum of K50 000 per month.

According to published data from the International Food Policy Institute (Ifpri) monthly maize report, retail maize prices are highest in the South, while in the North, a kilogramme is selling at K411 per kg or K20 550 per 50 kg bag.

However, at K489 per kg or K24 000 per 50 kg bag, retail prices of maize in selected Malawian markets were higher than in Zambia at K13 000, Mozambique at K16 000 and South Africa at K15 000).

Regardless, maize in these markets is cheaper than in Nairobi, Kenya.

Reads the Ifpri report in part: “Maize continues to be most expensive in the South. In the last week of November, prices in the North were higher than prices in the Centre, which may be driven by informal exports to neighbouring countries.

“As of the end of November, prices averaged K495 per kg in the South, K448 per kg in the Centre and K422 per kg in the North.”

In an interview on Tuesday, Mulanje-based consumer Rachel Nini said she is spending more on maize than has been the case in previous years, leaving her with limited resources for other household expenditures.

Centre for Social Concern (CfSC) economic governance officer Bernard Mphepo said the rise in maize prices is influencing an increase in cost of living.

“Majority of Malawians are struggling to survive. More are being pushed into the poverty bracket,” he said.

CfSC data show that as of October 2022, an average family of six required K325 902.

During the same period last year, K206 772 was sufficient.

Meanwhile, earlier this month Admarc opened its depots nationwide, with the staple grain fetching K300 per kg or K15 000 per 50 kg.

Speaking in Parliament on maize sales by Admarc last month, Minister of Agriculture Minister Sam Kawale expressed optimism that the resumption of Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (Admarc) will help bring down maize prices, which have hit record highs.

Data from the World Food Programme show that 3.8 million Malawians face acute food insecurity in this lean season (October 2022 to March 2023).