Minister of Trade and Industry, Engineer Vitumbiko Mumba, has assured Malawians that the government is taking strong action to address the ongoing sugar shortage and price hike across the country.
Speaking at a press briefing in Lilongwe alongside representatives from Salima Sugar and Illovo Sugar, Mumba outlined government efforts to stabilize the sugar market and curb illegal practices.
He noted that while the official retail prices from Salima Sugar and Illovo Sugar are K2,900 and K3,000 per kilogram respectively, some vendors are selling sugar at inflated prices of up to K6,000 per kilogram.
To combat this, the government has introduced both short-term and long-term measures, including deploying security forces to escort sugar deliveries and prevent diversion. Authorities also plan to ban unlicensed vendors from purchasing sugar.
“I know vendors and suppliers are exporting sugar to Tanzania and Zambia at high prices. For those involved in such malpractice—I will smoke them out,” Mumba warned.
He condemned the hoarding and illegal sale of sugar, accusing some individuals of prioritizing profit over the wellbeing of Malawians. “These people don’t love their country. They are harming fellow citizens, and we will deal with them,” he said.
Illovo Sugar Managing Director Kondwani Msimuko attributed the sugar scarcity to changes in rainfall patterns, which have disrupted production schedules. However, he urged the public not to panic, assuring that steps are being taken to resolve the issue.
Salima Sugar Executive Chairperson Wester Kossam announced that the company has released 13 trucks of sugar for distribution across the Northern, Central, and Southern regions. He added that Salima Sugar will cut ties with distributors who divert sugar to unauthorized vendors.
With coordinated action from the government and sugar producers, these measures aim to restore market stability and ensure that Malawians can access sugar at fair prices.
