Malawi

Harvesting of the main season cereal crops will start in late April. The cumulative rainfall from November 2025 to mid-March 2026 has been generally average across the country, resulting in overall average crop biomass conditions. However, according to FEWS NET (February 2026), localized dry spells in the south caused some crops to wilt, affecting an estimated 15–20% of planted maize in the Southern Lakeshore and Lower Shire zones. Subsequently, heavy rainfall and floods impacted 18 councils between March 15 and 19, resulting in casualties and widespread damage (ECHO Daily Flash of 23/03/2026, ECHO Daily Flash of 20/03/2026). Furthermore, the Department of Disaster Management Affairs reported that livestock ⁠and crops, including tobacco, were washed away in several areas (Reuters). An example of flooding along the Shire River can be observed in the ASAP High Resolution Viewer. Pastoral biomass conditions have benefited from the average rainfall between early November 2025 and mid-March 2026; consequently, the good pastoral conditions and water availability are expected to support livestock health.