Famine Early Warning Systems Network

Key Messages

• In West Africa, market availability was good in May with supplies from above-average 2015/16 regional harvests, and international rice and wheat imports. Markets remained disrupted throughout the Lake Chad Basin and in parts of Central and Northern Mali. The recent depreciation of the Naira has led to price increases across Nigeria and reduced purchasing power for livestock purchases in the Sahel.

• In East Africa, maize prices followed seasonal trends in surplus-producing Uganda and Tanzania, supporting a steady flow of exports to regional markets. Harvests are estimated to be well below average in Ethiopia, but prices have remained stable with the availability of food through humanitarian assistance programs underway. The South Sudanese Pound was allowed to float in December, leading to a persistent depreciation of the local currency and reducing purchasing power. Markets remain disrupted by insecurity in South Sudan and Yemen.

• In Southern Africa, maize availability continued to improve from ongoing harvests but supplies were significantly lower than usual with below-average production in every country except Zambia. Maize prices began to increase several months early in many areas are well above-average levels across the region.

• In Central America, bean supplies continued to improve with supplies from the Apante harvests while imports sustained stable levels of maize supplies. Maize and bean prices were generally atypically stable or decreasing. Locally-produced bean and maize availability remained below-average in Haiti, while imported commodity prices and availability remained stable.

• In Central Asia, wheat availability remained adequate region-wide and trade continued between surplus and deficit countries. Prices are below their respective 2015 levels in surplus-producing areas.

• International staple food markets remain well supplied. Wheat prices remained stable while maize, rice, and soybean prices increased in May. Crude oil prices increased but remained well below-average.