Farmers in the country face a rough 2025/26 agricultural season as a continued rise in global fertiliser prices has pushed up prices on the local market.
The World Bank commodities price data published on July 2 2025 shows that global fertiliser prices have been on the rise since April 2024 with Urea jumping from $392 (about K686 392) per metric tonne (MT) in May 2025 to $420.5 (about K736 295) in June. In April 2025, Urea traded at $386.9 (about K677 461)/MT on the global market.
Diammonium Phosphate (DAP), an equivalent of NPK (12-32-16) fertiliser, rose from $635 (about K1.1million)/MT in April 2025 to $669.2 (K1.17 million) in May before moving up further to $715.4 (about K1.25 million) last month.
Fertiliser Association of Malawi executive administration officer Hannah Makhambera said the upward global fertiliser prices have direct effects on Malawian farmers due to the country’s dependence on imported fertilisers.
She noted that an increase in freight on board (FOB) prices also leads to higher port handling charges and inland transport costs, a situation that pushes further the overall landed cost of fertiliser in Malawi.
“This increase is already putting pressure on the fertiliser market, and any new imports will inevitably come at higher prices. As a result, the retail price per bag is also expected to rise,” said Makhambera.
Minister of Agriculture Sam Kawale acknowledged that the recent surge in global fertiliser price poses a threat to the country’s food security and agricultural growth.
He said the increase in global fertiliser prices directly increases farmers’ production costs, thereby threatening profitability and potentially leading to reduced yields if less fertiliser is applied.
“To mitigate these challenges, the Ministry of Agriculture is actively promoting a shift away from over-reliance on chemical fertilisers. Our strategy focuses on fostering sustainable farming practices and embracing locally developed alternative fertilisers,” said Kawale.
He said his ministry was encouraging farmers to embrace soil health management, including conservation agriculture, crop rotation and incorporating organic matter or compost manure.
The Nation checks in some shops in Blantyre Lilongwe, Mzuzu and Mangochi yesterday found that a 50kg bag of urea was selling at between K136 000 and K140 000 while NPK was fetching K150 000.
In January this year, Competition and Fair-Trading Commission issued an interim order preventing farm input distribution companies from increasing fertiliser prices or hoarding supplies while investigating allegations of unwarranted pricing.
However, the Lilongwe Registry of the High Court Commercial Division in March granted a stay (injunction) of the interim order to allow the companies adjust their prices upward in response to market conditions until the matter is heard and determined by the court.
