1. Food Availability
Moderate to heavy rains during the first two dekads of February. Crop production is expected to be lower than previously forecast by the first-round crop production estimates due to rains that have caused water logging and floods that have washed away and submerged some crops in many parts of the country. Leaching of nutrients from the soil and lower use of agricultural inputs still remain the crucial factors that will adversely affect the crop yields this season.
Although the African swine fever that affected pigs in a number of Extension Planning Areas has been controlled, the disease continued to exist in Salima RDP.
2. Food Accessibility
Local market maize prices continue to rise (Figure 1) as households increasingly turn to the market for their supplies in this pre-harvest period. In most markets, monthly average
prices have risen above the MK5.00/kg offered by ADMARC but still remain lower than at the same time last year. Maize is readily available in both ADMARC and local markets for those with cash to buy.
Food availability in the country remains satisfactory. Official maize stocks (those owned by ADMARC and the Government) stood at 64,727 MT by the end of February. At the current rate of ADMARC maize sales of about 3,000 MT per week, these stocks will last for about five months, until July/August.
3. Vulnerability Update
Thirteen of the country’s 27 districts have experienced flooding, affecting a total of 62,506 households. Nsanje District is the worst hit in terms of the severity of the floods. The government is asking donors for MK536 million (US$6.7 million) to deal with problems related to the floods ($1.1 million for in emergency requirements and $5.6 million for rehabilitation).
4. Macro-Economic Indicators
The Malawi Kwacha appreciated by 0.25 percentage points from MK80/US$ to MK79.8/US$ from the second to last week of February. The inflation rate is expected to fall due to the stability of the Malawi Kwacha and the reduction in the price of fuel at the beginning of February.
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