Malawi
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- Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes are expected in southern Malawi (particularly in Neno, Mwanza, Phalombe, Blantyre, Mulanje, Thyolo, Nsanje, and Chikwawa districts) and parts of the central region and are likely to persist through March 2026. These outcomes are driven by depleted household food stocks following below-average 2025 harvests and reduced purchasing power. Above-average staple food prices and limited agricultural labor opportunities continue to restrict market access for poor households in particular, combined with poor purchasing power. In contrast, Stressed (IPC Phase 2) and Minimal (IPC Phase 1) outcomes prevail across most northern and remaining central districts, supported by own-produced food stocks and typical income sources from agricultural labor, petty trade, and other self-employment activities.
- In October 2025, annual inflation increased to 29.1 percent from 28.7 percent in September. According to the National Statistical Office of Malawi, food inflation eased slightly to 32.4 percent, while non-food inflation rose to 23.8 percent from 21.7. Inflationary pressures moderated somewhat due to anticipated government imports from Zambia; however, high transport costs and the continued foreign currency depreciation in the parallel market, is maintaining overall elevated prices. The elevated food inflation is limiting market-dependent households' access to food.
- Maize grain prices declined atypically across the 27 International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) monitored markets, averaging 1,205 MWK/kilogram (kg) in October, down from 1,315 MWK/kg in September. In Mitundu, the FEWS NET national reference market, monthly average prices fell by 8 percent to 1,210 MWK/kg. The decline is likely due to the government announcement of the maize import agreement, increased farmer sales to raise income for seasonal expenses such as seed, fertilizer, and wages for land preparation, and traders lowering prices to reduce their stock levels. Despite this decrease, prices remain 53 percent above October 2024 and 176 percent above the five-year average, and continue to constrain household access to food from markets.
- According to the Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services (DCCMS) of Malawi, normal to above normal rainfall was recorded across the country during the second ten days of November, supporting land preparations and planting activities. This has particularly benefited the southern half of the country, where the improved moisture has increased agricultural labor opportunities. However, overall labor demand remains below average, as better-off households have reduced hiring capacity due to the below-average 2025 harvest and ongoing macroeconomic challenges. In the northern half of the country, land preparation is underway, providing near-average agricultural labor opportunities for poor households.
- The 2025/26 lean season humanitarian response was launched in November with only about 30 percent of the required 120 million USD mobilized, raising the uncertainty on the planned responses, leaving a funding gap of approximately 90 million USD. Targeted households receive either 50 kg of maize or a monthly cash transfer of 90,000 MWK. A fully funded response plan would be expected to cover a three- to six-month period through March 2026, reaching nearly 20 percent of the total population, and help to mitigate food consumption gaps among beneficiary households. However, coverage and reach may vary as the plan is implemented in phases and contingent upon resolving the current funding gaps.
Recommended citation: FEWS NET. Malawi Key Message Update November 2025: Crisis (IPC Phase 3) persists in the south amid limited food assistance distributions, 2025.
This Key Message Update provides a high-level analysis of current acute food insecurity conditions and any changes to FEWS NET's latest projection of acute food insecurity outcomes in the specified geography. Learn more here.