Despite anticipated harvests in June, food insecurity will persist due to above average food prices

Despite the below-average rainfall observed starting in April, crop development remains generally normal, particularly in the southern peninsula, where the season started a little early. A few corn and bean harvests are even already observed in those areas, in addition to the cultivating activities of roots and tubers, bananas and especially mango. At the same time, flooding in April has negatively impacted some crop growth in the North and Northeast.

The socio-political and security climate remains unstable, while the president advances in his political agenda (referendum, elections), which is generally contested by the population. Demonstrations planned for the month of June could have negative consequences on informal activities, the supply of markets in Port-au-Prince, and especially the income of poor and very poor urban households.

Although below the level of May 2020 (107.3 gourdes per US dollar as of May 20, 2020), the official exchange rate is 88.85 gourdes per US dollar as of May 20, 2021. Imported food prices, strongly correlated to the informal market exchange rate, which is around 115 gourdes, remain significantly above average. During the ongoing lean season, poor and very poor households will continue to adopt crisis coping strategies including the consumption of early harvests or seeds, the sale of wood, the reduction in the quality of meals, etc.) and stressed coping strategies such as purchasing on credit, sale of cattle, etc. to maintain their current food consumption. Crisis (IPC Phase 3) and Stressed (IPC Phase 2) food insecurity is therefore anticipated across the country.