December 2015 Global Price Watch

In West Africa, market availability was good in November with carryover stocks, early supplies from above-average 2015/16 regional harvests and international rice and wheat imports. Markets remained disrupted throughout the Lake Chad Basin.

In East Africa, maize prices increased seasonally in surplus-producing areas of Uganda and Tanzania. Below average harvests are anticipated in Ethiopia and Sudan, putting pressure on markets. Markets remain disrupted by insecurity in South Sudan, Somalia, and Yemen. 

In Southern Africa, regional maize production for the 2015/16 marketing year is estimated to be below-average. Significant maize deficits are seen in and Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Mozambique. Maize prices increased as stocks tightened with the progression of the lean season, especially in Malawi, and are well above-average price levels across the region.

In Central America, maize prices continued to seasonally decline across the region with supplies from the recent Primera season (main maize harvest). Red bean prices decreased early in El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua with the early start of the bean harvest (Postrera). Locally-produced bean and maize availability remained below-average in Haiti, while imported commodity prices remained stable.

In Central Asia, wheat availability remained good region-wide. Prices are below their respective 2014 levels in surplus-producing areas.

International staple food markets remain well supplied. Maize, wheat, rice, and soybean prices were stable in November and below their respective 2014 levels (Figures 2 and 3). Crude oil prices decreased and remained below-average.