Maize prices remain elevated at an average price of K160 per kilogramme (kg) or K 8, 000 per 50 kg bag in selected markets across the country despite the start of harvesting in some districts.
Traditionally, most districts in the Southern Region commence maize harvesting between March and April.
In districts such as Mulanje, Thyolo and Blantyre, some growers have started harvesting the grain.
A snap survey by Nyasaland news media on Tuesday revealed that prices were hovering between K8,000 and K 8,500 per 50 kg bag up from K 5,000 per 50 kg bag in January.
A visit to Mbayani, Ndirande, Chilobwe, Manase and Baluti townships in the commercial city revealed that maize was being sold at prices between K160 and K190 per kg.
Joseph Machika, a maize vendor at Mbayani Market, said this year’s maize produce is yet to trickle down to the market.
“There are some vendors that kept maize stocks and have now started releasing the commodity. But business is not at peak yet and we look forward to the time when harvesting gets to its peak,” he said.
Another trader, Josephine Chisale, said maize sales have stagnated in recent weeks as consumers anticipate a fall in prices.
The elevated maize prices should be a concern to the authorities as it is likely to continue exerting pressure on inflation.
As at January 2018, inflation was recorded at 8.1 percent up from 7.1 percent in December 2017.
Meanwhile, the International Food Policy Research Institute’s (IFPR) monthly retail prices has indicated that the average maize retail price increased by 18 percent in February 2018.
“The price increases were registered in almost all the markets except Chimbiya, which reported no price change during the month,” IFPR said.
The average maize retail price was K114 per kg in February 2018, according to IFPR findings.
President Peter Mutharika recently said Malawi would continue stocking enough food to hedge against any possible shocks in the wake of dry spells and the fall armyworm which hit some districts in the Southern and Central regions.

Mutharika has joined different world leaders and captains of the industry in congratulating Prophet Shepherd Bushiri for launching his fiver star Sparkling Waters and Spa hotel in South Africa on Tuesday night in Rustenberg.
Mutharika has further asked Prophet Bushiri, who is the president of Shepherd Bushiri Investments (SBI) to also consider investing more in his home country, Malawi.
President Mutharika spoke through one of his senior advisors Mavuto Bamusi.
Bamusi underlined that time has come for Malawi to start mobilising it’s own people for a common good of lifting the country’s economy.



“Prophet Bushiri has demonstrated the capacity of being a great investor and it is the wish of every Malawian to see him also investing in his home country,” he said.
In his response, Prophet Bushiri told the media that he is already making a number of investments in Malawi mostly in real estate.



He adds that soon Malawians will know his investments steps in the country as he begins to launch some of them.
Bushiri further hailed President Mutharika for the sending the gracious and added that he prays for him always so that God continue to give him wisdom to take Malawi forward.
He asked Malawians to join hands in the development of the country.
Located in Rustenberg, a one and half hour drive from Johanesburg, the five star hotel boasts of the modern kitchen, restaurant, spa and, also, a wide range of adventurous things.
The hotel, which is owned by SB Hotels, an entity under Shepherd Bushiri Investments, is just one of the eight hotels in different countries, with some earmarked to be launched.




Bushiri, who is the owner and president of SBI, says Sparkling Waters and Spa will continue to provide the best to people both through classical services and also job opportunities to South Africa.
“Tourism is big in South Africa, and to contribute to it’s growth, we need to have good recreational and hospitality facilities to support it,” he said.







The launch, which was just the first phase of the continuous expansion drive of the hotel, has costed SBI about $150 million. With 53 rooms operational, the hotel provides employment to more than 500 people.
After completetion of the entire project, estimated at ZAR 1.5 billion, the hotel will provide employment to more than 5000 people and with over 2000 rooms functional.
During the launch, a number of high profile figures attended. Some of them include Malawi High Commissioner to South Africa, Mayor for Rustenberg, South Africa ambassador to South Sudan, senior members of ANC and key celebrities such as Mafikizolo who performed.