State-run Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (Admarc) has been asked to consider lowering its maize price.
The grain trader is selling its maize at K790 per Kilogramme (kg) or K39,500 per 50 kg bag, a price almost equal to that of vendors on the market.
People who contributed to Times Talk Programme on Time Radio last week lamented ‘high’ prices, saying they contradicted the government’s efforts to combat hunger.
But Admarc justified the price, saying it reflects market trends.
One of the participants, Davie Maloya from Phalombe District, said at K790 per kg, the price was higher for poor Malawians.
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Another consumer from Blantyre said the grain-trader should consider lowering prices as the cost of living remains elevated.
But Admarc spokesperson Thereza Chapulapula said there are numerous factors that are considered when coming up with the selling price of maize.
“Remember that the maize we are selling is the same which we procure from farmers and therefore in coming up with the price we consider the buying price of the grain.
“We also have to consider transportation costs for example we may buy the commodity in Chitipa but it may be taken to Nsanje for sale and therefore there is a transport cost that must be factored in. These are just a few of the factors considered when coming up with the price,” Chapulapula said.
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She added that the price of maize has drastically reduced from around K50,000 per 50kg bag to around K40,000 among vendors since Admarc opened its markets.
Meanwhile, the Department of Disaster Management Affairs last week launched the lean season food distribution exercise where people affected by hunger are receiving a 50 kg bag of maize each.
The department launched the programme after a Malawi Vulnerability Assessment report indicated that about 5.7 million people would need food assistance between now and the next growing season
