Malawi Braces for Food Shortage Crisis Affecting Millions
Published on October 13, 2025 at 4:00 PM by Edgar Naitha
Malawi is set to face a daunting food security challenge, with approximately four million citizens, accounting for 22 percent of the population, projected to grapple with severe food shortages from October 2025 through March 2026.
This stark projection stems from the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report unveiled by the government alongside its development partners.
The IPC report points to a confluence of factors driving the precarious food situation: subpar harvests, escalated production costs, and inflationary pressures have collectively propelled maize prices upwards, hitting K1,100 per kilogramme compared to K722 during the corresponding period last year.
Maize being a staple food in Malawi underscores the gravity of this price surge for household food access.
In response, Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development Joseph Mwanamvekha has affirmed government’s resolve to collaborate with humanitarian partners.
The aim is twofold: to extend support to the most affected districts and to scout strategies for stabilizing maize supply chains and moderating prices.
“Government will work with humanitarian partners to support the most affected districts and explore ways to stabilise maize supply and prices,” Mwanamvekha’s statement indicated.
Economists tracking Malawi’s economic indicators have sounded cautionary notes, warning that burgeoning food prices threaten to stoke inflation further and amplify fiscal strains as the lean season approaches.
With vulnerability looming large over households dependent on staple food affordability, timely interventions are being spotlighted to mitigate hardship hitting Malawians hardest.
