Malawi Maize Production Outlook Faces Shortfall Amid Food Security Concerns
What happened
Famine Early Warning Systems Network stated that the 2025/26 maize season in Malawi is underway, with harvesting having begun in Southern Malawi and expanding into central and northern regions.
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Why it matters
The projected harvest of 3.3 million metric tonnes is an increase from the previous season's 2.9 million metric tonnes. However, this output remains below the national requirement of 3.5 million metric tonnes, indicating a projected shortfall of approximately 200,000 metric tonnes.
El Niño is impacting Malawi, leading to reduced rainfall and disaster management preparations in Lilongwe.
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Who's involved
- MalawiSovereign state facing production targets and food security challenges.
- Southern RegionAdministrative region of Malawi where harvesting has begun.
Who could feel it
Possible knock-on effectsThese are possibilities Brind reasoned out, not predictions, and not advice. Most are not stated in any report.
- MalawiSpeculative
The country could face structural pressure on its national food security systems due to the production shortfall.
How it developed
Newest first. Tap a step to see who reported it.- The LPG Association of Malawi calls on the government to prioritize foreign exchange allocation due to the region's exposure to supply chain issues.Sub-event
- Maize prices in Malawi are fluctuating across different regions, with Central reporting lower prices, Southern higher, and Northern lowest.Sub-event
- Rising food insecurity in Malawi is driving policy intervention through the School Feeding Initiative.Sub-event
- The World Food Programme assessed that food insecurity is a major issue in Malawi.Sub-event
FEWS NET monitors national production outlook amid sharp price drops in Malawi's Southern Region.1 source
Keep exploring
Part of
El Niño is impacting Malawi, leading to reduced rainfall and disaster management preparations in Lilongwe.Also in this story
- Strong El Nino weather is causing droughts in Mzimba District, which is part of Malawi.
- Malawi's Ministry of Natural Resources issued preparedness briefs on August 1st regarding climate risks, specifically threats to food security.
- Agriculture in Malawi relies on the Shire River's unpredictable flow, prompting climate event predictions.
- ADMARC is adjusting strategic maize stocks in Malawi in response to forecasted El Niño risks to agricultural production.
The entities involved
-
Malawi
sovereign state in Africa
-
Southern Region
region of Malawi
Related events
- IFPRI reports on the food security crisis in Malawi's Central Region and the outlook for Southern Africa.
- World Bank data highlights food security and poverty levels in Malawi, comparing diet costs across Malawi, Zambia, and Mozambique.
- World Bank data reveals Malawi's agricultural crisis, noting that food export deals with South Sudan and India have fallen short.
- Malawi government seeks investment for agricultural transformation.
- Hope Field Initiatives and Sami are working in Malawi to improve food security and sustainable livelihoods.