January 2026 Price Watch

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In West Africa, staple food prices in the Sahel declined or remained stable at below 2024 levels due to recent harvests. In Nigeria, cereal prices continued falling, reflecting new harvests, import waivers, and subdued demand, while local rice and cowpea prices remained above their five-year average due to higher production and processing costs and urban demand. In Cameroon, prices increased seasonally in southern markets, but declined in the north following harvests and reduced export demand, with continued high levels in conflict zones. In the Central African Republic (CAR), prices remained high, particularly for imported staples, driven by insecurity and logistical disruptions (Page 3).
In East Africa, maize and sorghum prices were mixed across the region, increasing in Rwanda, Burundi, and Somalia due to increased market reliance, while remaining stable or declining in Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan, Sudan and Tanzania, supported by surplus stocks, cross-border trade, and humanitarian assistance. Prices remained unstable in areas affected by insecurity, conflict, and were particularly volatile in areas of Sudan facing siege conditions. Livestock prices varied, with goat prices declining in South Sudan and Somalia due to distress sales increasing supply amid low demand, while prices remained stable in Kenya (Page 4).
In Southern Africa, maize grain and maize meal prices in December were below last year’s levels, reflecting improved availability, expectations of good harvests, strategic imports, and currency appreciation in some markets. Pressures on food affordability for households persisted due to uneven price transmission, high non-food inflation, exchange rate pressures, and market distortions. Prices across the region were strongly influenced by currency movements, monetary policy, and import regimes, often more than local supply conditions. In surplus-producing countries, profit margins are narrowing despite favorable weather conditions, threatening long-term production incentives and market stability (Page 5).
In Central America, staple grain supply seasonally improved after primera and postrera harvests, easing regional wholesale prices. White maize and bean wholesale prices declined seasonally, except in Honduras, where protests led to market and transportation disruptions. In El Salvador and Honduras, white maize prices showed mixed trends, and persisted 20-40 percent above average due to below-average carryover stocks and imports. Rice availability and prices were stable. Red bean prices were above average, while black bean prices in Guatemala were near average, supported by above-average imports. In Haiti, persistent insecurity continued to disrupt Port-au-Prince and Artibonite markets, sustaining above-average local food prices. Imported food prices remained stable, driven by international prices and exchange rate stability (Page 6).
In the Middle East, Europe, and Asia, staple food prices show varied trends in December. In Afghanistan, prices rose slightly driven by higher transportation costs, typical lean-season market reliance, and the border closure with Pakistan. In Yemen, prices were generally stable in IRG- and SBA-controlled areas, though cooking gas prices rose sharply in IRG-controlled areas due to supply disruptions. In Gaza, staple food prices declined following improved commercial and humanitarian inflows but remained above pre-crisis levels, while in the West Bank, prices remained largely stable despite continued movement restrictions and access constraints (Page 7).
International markets showed mixed trends in December, with maize prices rising 2 percent on strong exports and demand in the U.S and Brazil, while rice prices remained 38 percent below last year's due to high supply. Wheat prices increased slightly driven by U.S. supply and Black Sea concerns. Crude oil fell to 63 USD/bbl amid accelerating oversupply. Nitrogen fertilizer prices were up 12 percent, and the urea-to-maize affordability ratio deteriorated to 64 percent (Page 2).

Recommended citation: FEWS NET. Global Price Watch January 1, 2026: January 2026 Price Watch, 2026.

Price Watch offers a monthly summary and outlook on global, regional and national trends of key commodity prices in FEWS NET countries. Analysis may touch on global issues, such as fuel prices or exchange rates, if they are likely to influence staple food prices in FEWS NET countries. The accompanying Price Watch Annex details price trends by country.