A maize market report from International Food Policy Research Institute (Ifpri) has shown that Maize prices dropped by 2% in March, but floods led to unofficial price hike.

The report comes after analysts predicted a price drop due to bumper harvest, but changed their tone after Cyclone Idai destroyed various households maize stores and fields, therefore increasing demand of the staple food which was predicted to increase maize prices.

The report agrees with the effects of floods on the prices, as the Southern Region rose during second week of March due to the floods that hit parts of the region following the heavy rains caused by tropical Cyclone Idai.

The report shows that retail maize price in March was recorded at K180 per kilogram (kg) or K9 000 per 50 kg bag, but the cyclone lead to a hike of K210 per Kg, and grain traders have not foreseen any price drop anytime soon.