A statement by the Minister of Agriculture, Francis Kusaila has outlined the minimum gate prices for various commodities and has sternly advised traders to abide by the prices.

By law,the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security is mandated under the General crops Act Cap 65:05 to regulate. According to the statement, the announced minimum farmgate prices at the start of each selling season are to ensure that farmers are not exploited by unscrupulous traders.

Part of the statement reads, “My Ministry in consultation with stakeholders and other players in the sector are planning to revert to early release of these minimum farm gate prices just prior to the onset of an agricultural season. This will help the farmers and all stakeholders in making decisions on agricultural enterprises to venture into during the season.”

The following are prices of the commodities, in Malawi Kwacha per Kilogram(kg), which are going to be applied with immediate effect.

1 Maize 200

2 Rice (Polished) 600

3 Rice (Unpolished) 280

4 Sorghum 210

5 Finger Millet 400

6 Pearl Millet 220

7 Wheat 390

8 Soya Beans 300

9 Pure Beans 450

10 Mixed Beans 350

11 Groundnuts (Shelled) 480

12 Groundnuts (Unshelled) 30013 Pigeon Peas 240

14 Cowpeas 310

15 Grams 220

16 Bambara Nuts 380

17 Chickpeas 320

18 Sesame 550

19 Castrol Oil 250

20 Sunflower 330

21 Paprika (Grade A) 800

22 Paprika (Grade B) 700

23 Chillies (Grade A) 1000

24 Chillies (Grade B) 900

25 Cassava (Dried) 240

26 Cassava (Wet) 100

27 Cotton (Grade A) 389

28 Cotton (Grade B) 310