The National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA) has increased the maize buying price in a bid to boost supply and curb hoarding.
NFRA Chief Executive Officer George Macheka announced in Lilongwe that the agency will now pay MK1,280 per kilogram in open and rural markets, up from MK1,100. Registered mega farmers will receive a higher price of MK1,300 per kilogram.
Macheka explained that the price adjustment responds to reduced deliveries to NFRA depots and aims to outbid private traders who fuel speculation.
This move is part of the agency’s efforts to ensure adequate maize stocks and food security in Malawi.
So far, the strategic grain reserve has collected 37,579 metric tonnes of maize. Of the collected maize, 10,354 tonnes have been released, with 8,978 tonnes allocated to Dodma for emergency stockpiling and 1,376 tonnes to Admarc for price stabilization.
The government has provided NFRA with K30 billion out of the K40 billion budgeted for maize purchases.
Macheka also disclosed that maize is being imported from Tanzania at K943 per kilogram under a government-to-government deal.
However, he emphasized that supporting local farmers remains the priority.
“We cannot, as an institution, just stay and let Malawians suffer… if we don’t buy [enough] now, come December, January, the situation will be pathetic.”
