International Food Policy Research Institute (Ifpri) has said that  due to the onset of the main maize harvest in the Central Region, average retail maize prices in May dropped by 13% compared to the month of March.

According to the report, retail prices in all markets except Chitipa, Karonga, Rumphi, Mzuzu, and Mitundu were (by the end of April) higher than the minimum farm gate price of K150 per kg announced by government in mid-April 2019. “Out of 16 markets Ifpri monitors, Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation [Admarc]sales were reported in 14 markets: only Lunzu and Liwonde markets did not report Admarc sales during April. In the remaining markets, Admarc was selling maize at K150 per kg. No Admarc purchases were reported in any of the 16 markets monitored.” reads the report.

Meanwhile, 2018/2019 Agricultural Production Estimates (Apesi) released by the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Water Development in April 2019 said that this year’s maize harvest is expected to increase by 24% compared to 2017/18 harvests.