Malawi’s maize prices jumped by 13 percent as the lean food season started to bite, the latest Malawi Monthly Maize Market Report by the International Food Policy Research Institute (Ifpri) has shown.
According to the report, Chikwawa registered the highest maize price of K1,000 per kilogramme in the last week of December 2023.
It says although all of Malawi experienced a considerable price increase in the last week of December, there were substantial differences between the three regions.
“The Southern Region recorded the highest monthly average retail price of K897/kg, with Chikwawa market in the region recording the highest weekly average retail price in the final week of December (K1,000/kg).
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“Nsanje market in the Southern Region and Chimbiya market in Dedza in the Central Region witnessed the most substantial rise in maize prices, both at 24 percent. Traders attribute this to the increase in wholesale prices as well as transportation costs associated with longer journeys to procure maize,” the report says.
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According to Ifpri, in the Central Region, the monthly average settled at K831 per kg, reflecting a seven percent difference from the prices observed in the Southern Region.
The Northern Region reported the lowest monthly average retail maize price, settling at K643 per kg, marking a 28 percent difference from prices observed in the South.
“Retail prices of maize in selected markets in Malawi were generally higher than those in neighbouring countries at the official exchange rate (K1,700/$).
“Lunzu market in Blantyre and Chimbiya market in Dedza stood out by registering the highest price at the market exchange rate (K2,200) as well. In contrast, South Africa and Mozambique upheld the lowest prices across both exchange rates,” the report says.
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Two weeks ago, the Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (Admarc) said it would distribute 21,000 metric tonnes of maize in its stock to all its depots.
Admarc Chief Executive Officer Dan Makata said the State-owned grain marketer is drawing the maize from the Strategic Grain Reserve which was bought by the National Food Reserve Agency last year.
He observed that Admarc would sell the maize at K600 per kg.
However, a snap survey in selected Admarc outlets in Lilongwe revealed that most markets had no grain, thereby subjecting consumers to the full wrath of vendors.
