Consumers across Malawi are anticipating a challenging Christmas season as rising commodity prices and diminished purchasing power continue to strain household budgets.
Random interviews revealed that most citizens are bracing for one of the worst festive seasons.
For example, Lilongwe-based Kabaza operator John William said it would be hard for him and his family to have a merry Christmas this year.
“Just take K50,000 and go into a supermarket and see what you are going to buy with it. Very little things. With our low take-home packages, I don’t think we will have an enjoyable Christmas,” William said.
Isaac Chirwa, a resident of Chiwengo, Senior Chief Kaomba, in Kasungu District, said the high cost of living was necessitating the cutting of budgets among households.
Similar sentiments were shared by Group Village Head Govati of Balaka District, who expressed concern over the rise in commodity prices on the market.
The Consumers Association of Malawi (Cama) has since warned consumers to be extra careful when buying goods and services from the market during this Christmas and New year holidays to avoid unnecessary purchases and being cheated by unscrupulous traders, who will use every means to sell products at inflated prices and use this period to sell defective products through various means such as promotions or any other form of advertisement.
Cama Executive Director John Kapito said consumers must be on the lookout.
“Consumers must be aware that prices of basic goods and services have risen up by an average of 70 percent compared to last year’s prices.
“Currently, consumers are experiencing one of the highest costs of living as a result of the huge devaluation of the Kwacha and the shortage of foreign exchange that has drastically depleted consumers’ spending power.
“It is, therefore, prudent and advisable for consumers to make careful planning before deciding on spending money during these holiday festivals,” Kapito said.
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