Rising non-food costs pushed up the cost of living for Malawian households in the first half of 2026 despite a decline in food prices, the Employers Consultative Association of Malawi (Ecam) has said. Data contained in Ecam’s Cost of Living Analysis show that between January and June 2026, non-food costs surged by 30.65 percent from K233 905 to K305 607. Earlier, the Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) conceded that the increasing threat of rising non-food inflation could dampen the country’s inflation outlook despite easing food inflation which usually drives up prices. The central bank said the domestic fuel pump price adjustments have amplified inflation pressures despite easing food inflation. “Rising production and transport costs are being passed on to consumers, further fuelling inflation in a vicious cycle.”