Reports from across Malawi reveal a shocking surge in the price of maize, a staple food for the majority of the population. Over the past two months, the cost of a 50kg bag of maize has almost doubled, reaching an alarming high of K60,000, leaving many Malawians in distress.
The significant devaluation of the local currency, combined with the skyrocketing maize prices, has led to widespread frustration among citizens. This financial strain has resulted in shrinking incomes as people struggle to balance their expenses, pushing many to the brink of financial hardship.
The situation is particularly dire in various regions of the country. In the Eastern Region districts of Zomba and Machinga, as well as in the North, including Mzuzu City and Rumphi District, citizens are voicing their deep concerns and frustrations as maize prices continue to climb. The current inflation rate, reaching 33.1 percent, is the highest since 2013, and the cost of maize has been identified as a major contributing factor.
A recent assessment by the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (Fewsnet) and the Centre for Social Concern has confirmed that the current maize prices are the highest observed in the past five years. This surge in prices comes at a time when an estimated 4.4 million people are at risk of facing hunger during the 2023/24 consumption period.
Compounding these challenges are the projected effects of El Niño, which are expected to result in a staggering K337 billion loss in maize production for the country. An assessment revealed that the prices of maize were trending between 30 to 80 percent above last year’s levels and 170 to 250 percent above the five-year average in Fewsnet-monitored markets by the end of November 2023.
While there has been some temporary stability in maize prices due to humanitarian assistance and increased stock released by farmers, the assessment indicates that prices are likely to continue rising. The devaluation of the Malawi kwacha, seasonal increases, and the onset of the peak lean season from December 2023 to March 2024 are expected to further drive up maize prices.
The repercussions of these developments are far-reaching, with the potential to derail efforts to achieve the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number two, which aims to end hunger and ensure universal access to nutritious food by 2030. Kondwani Hara, a project officer at the Centre for Social Concern, emphasized the critical role of maize in the lives of Malawians, underscoring that a significant portion of the population earns far below the minimum wage required to purchase a 50kg bag of maize.
In response to the crisis, Minister of Agriculture Sam Kawale has promised interventions to stabilize maize prices and make the staple food affordable to the public through the Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (Admarc). However, challenges persist, with reports of vendors taking advantage of the situation, purchasing Admarc maize in bulk and reselling it at inflated prices.
The looming food crisis in Malawi demands urgent attention and coordinated efforts both domestically and internationally to mitigate the impact on vulnerable populations. As the nation grapples with the repercussions of soaring maize prices, the need for sustainable solutions and support mechanisms for food security has never been more critical.
