Admarc to import 200,000MT of maize to stabilize market amid rising prices in Malawi
On the source of resources to procure 200 000MT, Admarc Limited spokesperson Theresa Chapulapula said the funds will come from the Treasury.
MALAWI – Malawi’s State grain trader, Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (Admarc) Limited, has announced plans to import about 200,000 metric tonnes (MT) of maize to cushion the country against shortages during the upcoming lean season.
With maize serving as the country’s staple, Admarc’s importation plan is expected to provide temporary relief for households struggling with rising food prices.
In a statement issued on September 3, Admarc chief executive officer Dan Makata said the decision was made after a “careful assessment” of national stock levels, market trends, maize flow, and the projected impact on household food security.
The corporation emphasized that maize imports during scarcity are vital in stabilizing supply chains, easing pressure on local stocks, and containing food inflation.
“Admarc recognises that the recent increase in maize prices has placed a heavy burden on families, especially in rural and low-income urban areas. By importing maize, Admarc aims to stabilise prices and ensure that every Malawian can access this vital food item at a fair and reasonable cost,” the statement read.
Admarc spokesperson Theresa Chapulapula confirmed that the maize will be imported from Tanzania and Zambia under existing bilateral arrangements, with financing to come directly from the Treasury. She did not disclose the total cost of the imports.
The move comes at a time when Admarc has struggled to purchase sufficient quantities of maize locally.
By mid-August 2025, the agency had only bought about 13,000MT against a target of 20,000MT using funds from the K20 billion (US$11.5 million) allocation in the 2025/26 National Budget. An additional 50,000MT had been targeted for procurement through K95 billion (US$54.5 million) in commercial bank loans, but those purchases have also faced challenges.
Sam Kawale, the Minister of Agriculture, had earlier assured Malawians that winter cropping and irrigation projects on mega farms would help bridge the supply gap. However, experts argue that Admarc’s difficulties stem from structural inefficiencies.
Agricultural analyst Leonard Chimwanza noted that the agency consistently enters the market late, by which time private vendors already dominate maize buying.
Meanwhile, the World Food Programme (WFP) in June reported that Malawi’s maize deficit had widened significantly, from an initial government projection of 537,380MT to 1.2 million MT for the 2024/25 season.
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