Economic and social experts are sounding alarms as Malawi's spiraling food prices threaten to plunge millions deeper into hunger and poverty, with staple food costs reaching high levels.

Tobias Jere, Programs Manager at the Centre for Social Concern, told our reporter: "Our over-reliance on food imports and weak agricultural systems are fueling this crisis. Without urgent intervention, food inflation will continue devastating vulnerable households." 

The social expert emphasized this is creating a dangerous cycle of deprivation.  

Economic analyst Abel Mwenibanda warned of compounding effects: "These price surges will have catastrophic socioeconomic impacts at household level. We're seeing families skipping meals, children going hungry, and entire communities being pushed below the poverty line."  

"The situation requires both immediate relief and long-term structural solutions," Mwenibanda stressed, highlighting the need for coordinated economic and social interventions.  

According to World Bank figures, 70 percent of Malawians already live in extreme poverty, with global commodity shocks from ongoing international conflicts further destabilizing local markets.  

The Bank further says the crisis is eroding years of poverty reduction gains, with most households now spending over 60 percent of their income just on basic food staples.  

The crisis comes after last year's severe drought caused widespread crop failures.

(Written By: Chisomo Chingwalu)