Malawi is bracing for a fresh wave of economic pain as global prices for fertiliser and other essentials continue to rise, with experts warning that there is little the new president-elect, Peter Mutharika, can do to stop it.
Figures from the Fertiliser Association of Malawi show that the international price of urea has jumped from $366 per metric tonne earlier this year to $515 today. This sharp rise means higher port charges, higher transport costs, and ultimately higher retail prices for farmers. “The global price increase is already putting pressure on Malawi’s fertiliser market, and new imports will inevitably come at higher costs,” said Hanna Mankhambera, the Association’s Executive Administration Officer. She added that these costs will directly hit households across the country.
The same situation is playing out in Malawi’s fuel sector. For now, petrol and diesel remain cheaper in Malawi than in neighbouring Zambia and Mozambique, a difference that has already drawn cross-border buyers. But once Mutharika moves to adjust fuel prices to match the region, the cost of transport will rise. That will push up the price of food, fertiliser, and almost every basic good.
This means that, despite the excitement of his electoral victory, Malawians will soon face the reality that change of leadership does not change the forces of the global market. Many people may have voted for Mutharika in protest against Chakwera’s economic record, but the problems of high living costs are not going away.
Critics also warn that Mutharika’s age and declining health will weaken his ability to respond to these challenges. They argue that the new president does not have the energy or sharpness to steer the country through such a difficult period. For now, the protest vote has delivered him victory, but Malawians may soon find themselves disappointed again.
The hard truth is that Malawi’s economy remains at the mercy of global prices. With fertiliser and fuel set to rise, the cost of living will only get worse. The nation’s song of crying, many fear, is far from over.
