Deterioration of food security due to crop losses and high prices of basic grains

The poorest households located in the eastern dry corridor failed to fill their reserves due to irregular weather that significantly damaged Primera crops. In the most arid areas of the West, households expect partial losses for the harvests that are taking place at the end of the year. Suppressed rainfall during the flowering and fruiting phase affected the growth of the plants, and consequently the yield.

Postrera sowing has started in the east and north of the country, favored by a second rainy season that has left enough moisture in the soil. However, given the losses of the Primera cycle, some poor households that lost their investment and seeds did not undertake agricultural activities during this second cycle.

The period of high demand for labor begins in October at the national level, with the coffee and sugarcane sector being the main activities. Other activities such as the cultivation of melon, vegetables, fruit trees, will remain in their average ranges; This will allow the poorest households, which have resorted to negative coping strategies such as atypical migration or increased sales of animals, to obtain income to acquire food during the upcoming months.

Crop losses among the poorest households will lead to premature market dependence, as well as the accelerated use of newly received income. The price of maize remains above average, and the poorest households in the dry corridor will remain in Crisis (IPC Phase 3), while those who were able to harvest will be classified in Stress (Phase 2, CIF) during the last months of this outlook.