By Faridat Salifu
The Malawian government’s recent decision to import 200 000 metric tonnes of maize from Zambia has been described as a crucial step toward cushioning the effect of rising food costs and stabilising market prices ahead of the country’s lean season.
Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development Roza Fatchi Mbilizi, who announced the deal in Lilongwe on Wednesday, said the importation will allow government to sell maize at less than K50 000 per 50 kilogramme bag locally, a move expected to ease inflationary pressure on food prices.
“So, we are saying, as government, we will make sure that Malawians buy this maize at a very affordable price,” Mbilizi said after signing the sale agreement.
The intervention comes at a time when the Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MCCCI) has warned that without strong policy action, maize prices could remain elevated well into the lean season, worsening food insecurity and undermining rural livelihoods.
In its recent business analysis, MCCCI urged government to strengthen Admarc’s capacity for post-harvest price stabilisation, expand winter cropping, provide input subsidies, and enhance extension services to boost productivity.
The organisation also called for improved cross-border trade facilitation and investment in early warning systems to support market intelligence and planning.
According to data from the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Malawi’s national average maize price jumped from K880 per kilogramme in January 2024 to K1 304 per kilogramme in January 2025 a 48 percent increase. Prices surged further in February to K1 718 per kilogramme, representing a 123 percent year-on-year rise.
Although prices dipped slightly in March and April following the harvest season, they remained higher than 2024 levels. By May 2025, maize sold for an average of K933 per kilogramme compared to K612 per kilogramme the previous year.
MCCCI noted that while some producers benefited from the higher prices, the gains were largely offset by rising input costs such as fertilizer and transportation. For most households, especially in urban and rural low-income areas, the high cost of maize sharply reduced purchasing power.
The IFPRI September 2025 Maize Market Report, however, showed a glimmer of relief, with prices stabilising at K1 361 per kilogramme a reversal of the upward trend seen since June.
With maize accounting for about 53.7 percent of Malawi’s Consumer Price Index, analysts say the success of government’s intervention will determine whether food prices and overall inflation can be brought under control before the next planting season.
