The Farmers Union of Malawi (FUM) president Frighton Njolomole revealed that some Admarc employees are allegedly  buying maize from farmers at K100 per kilogram (kg) and selling it to Admarc at the set minimum price of K200 per kg.

Njolomole told journalists that Admarc officials are also demanding K1000 per 50 kg bag from farmers, when the farmers are selling their grain to Admarc. He therefore called on Admarc to implement disciplinary action, to protect farmers from the malpractice. “Admarc management should discipline its unscrupulous and unpatriotic employees who are profiteering from this year’s marketing season.” he said.

Admarc chief executive officer Felix Jumbe admitted to The Nation newspaper that the malpractice is real and the state trader is currently acting on it.

Admarc has opened about 400 markets, representing only 50% of the market’s operational status, as FUM has also accused Admarc of failing to buy farm produce from farmers.