Shortages spur food prices and vulnerability

Food security experts in Malawi are keeping a close watch on maize prices in local markets as the country braces itself for another year of chronic food shortages. Humanitarian groups estimate that up to 4.6 million Malawians could face hunger this year after a dramatic drop in maize production, the country's most important staple crop. The UN Food and Agricultural Organisation forecasts output at just under 1.3 million mt - the lowest in a decade - or about 26 percent less than last year's relatively poor harvest. Officials said on Tuesday that an increasing number of households were becoming completely dependent on the market for their food requirements as own-grown food stocks dwindled. "Research has shown that although [maize] prices are moving upwards, on average they are still within the anticipated price band (kwacha 19-23/kg). However, this differs from market to market in various locations. In areas where there are serious shortages, the price band has been exceeded. But, in general, we are not too concerned," Ranson Mwadiwa, head of the Relief and Disaster Preparedness Unit, told IRIN. Mwadiwa noted that although estimates had put the number of food insecure people at around 4.2 million, this figure could jump to around 4.6 million should maize prices exceed kwacha 32 per kg in coming months. In the worst affected southern districts - Nsanje, Chikwawa and Phalombe - prices have already spiked to around kwacha 30 per kg. "The plain and simple truth is that some poor households cannot afford to buy food in the market," he added. When IRIN visited a local market in Lilongwe on Tuesday, maize was pegged at K25 per kg. Joseph Kili, a trader from Burundi, commented, "The demand for maize at the moment is high, so too is the price of maize. It is just unfortunate that there is no maize available ... many people cannot afford it and we are selling in small lumps." A local shop owner, Manuel Phiri, remarked, "Some big traders are charging us high prices. Even when you go and buy maize in Mozambique one has to spend a lot of money on transport and other expenses." Aid groups are already worried that the shortage of maize could have far-reaching effects on the nutritional status of vulnerable populations. "As of now we do not have information, because we are yet to carry out a [nutritional] survey to find out just how it has impacted on the lives of people. It is likely that many people will be malnourished, but this will only be felt in the next few months, possibly by November," said Oxfam country programme manager Mary Nyang'wa. But a report by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has already noted climbing malnutrition rates, particularly in the areas hardest hit by the shortages. OCHA also said the UN system in Malawi was in the process of preparing a donor alert, and would channel the funds into procuring food, agricultural inputs and nutrition supplies during the critical period from October 2005 to March 2006. World Food Programme spokesperson Matthews Nyirenda said, "So far current pledges represent only 40 percent of total assistance requirements.The donor alert is still being finalised, but it is expected to cover a wide variety of needs."