Lesotho

Remotely monitored country
Lesotho
 Lesotho flag
Remote Monitoring Report
August 2023
Increasing concern for start of 2023/24 rainy season associated with El Niño conditions
  • In August and September, Minimal (IPC Phase 1) outcomes are expected as households continue to access food from the recently concluded main harvest and inflation rates decline to their lowest level since early-to-mid 2020, improving household purchasing power. The winter wheat crops are also developing under favorable conditions, with near-average yields expected. From October to January, household food stocks are expected to decline seasonally. Stressed (IPC Phase 2) outcomes are expected to emerge around the start of the lean season in November as households increasingly become dependent on market purchases for food and food prices rise seasonally.
  • In July, the headline annual Inflation rate decelerated to 4.5 percent, the lowest rate since early-to-mid 2020, driven by several factors, including declining food and fuel prices and tightening monetary policies, with an associated decline in aggregate demand. The slowdown in inflation means reduced cost of production for farmers and a likely improvement in the purchasing power of poor households. The annual food and non-alcoholic beverages inflation rate slowed to 6.0 percent in July from 8.6 percent in June, likely driven by the harvest in Lesotho and South Africa and lower cost of fuel and transportation. 
  • Through the Food Management Unit (FMU), the government purchased 867.6 metric tons (MT) of maize and 166.5 MT of beans in July against a target of 1,200 MT of maize and 240 MT of beans. Around 90 percent of the maize was delivered by farmers from Maseru, Berea, Leribe, and Mafeteng districts. Meanwhile, farmers from Thaba Tseka, Mokholtlong, Qacha's Nek, and Quthing delivered half of the beans. The food distribution has not started as the maize is expected to be processed and fortified with Vitamin A first. Targeted beneficiaries are expected to engage in community projects to receive food.
  • Climate forecasts suggest increasing confidence in a strong El Niño by late 2023. El Niño is typically correlated with below-average rainfall in Lesotho. Based on historical trends during El Niño years, the onset of the main rainy season between October and December will most likely be delayed with mixed performance. Irregular rainfall will most likely compound the impacts of reduced access to agricultural inputs on planted area, affecting income-earning among poor households who rely on agricultural labor opportunities. Close monitoring of rainfall totals and distribution will be required to assess the severity of adverse impacts on cropping conditions for the 2023/24 harvest. Government and donors should prepare now for rising food assistance needs in 2024.
 Read the full analysis
Latest Analysis Latest Analysis
View All Lesotho Analysis
Food Security
Key Message Update High maize meal prices likely impact household purchasing power Lesotho July 2023
Remote Monitoring Report High staple food prices and El Niño conditions during the start of the 2023/24 season drive Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes Lesotho June 2023
Key Message Update Access to maize and sorghum harvest improves food security outcomes Lesotho May 2023
Agroclimatology
Global Weather Hazards Flooding spreads into southeastern Africa, while parts of southern Africa remain abnormally dry Global February 17, 2023 - February 23, 2023
Global Weather Hazards Southern Africa experiences flooding, while abnormal dryness continues in Eastern Africa Global February 10, 2023 - February 16, 2023
Global Weather Hazards Southern Africa experiences flooding, while abnormal dryness continues in Eastern Africa Global February 10, 2023 - February 16, 2023
Markets & Trade
Price Watch February 2023 Global Price Watch Global February 28, 2023
Price Watch January 2023 Global Price Watch Global January 31, 2023
Price Watch December 2022 Global Price Watch Global December 30, 2022
Alerts / Special Reports
No reports available.
Food Security
Key Message Update High maize meal prices likely impact household purchasing power Lesotho July 2023
Remote Monitoring Report High staple food prices and El Niño conditions during the start of the 2023/24 season drive Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes Lesotho June 2023
Key Message Update Access to maize and sorghum harvest improves food security outcomes Lesotho May 2023
Agroclimatology
Global Weather Hazards Flooding spreads into southeastern Africa, while parts of southern Africa remain abnormally dry Global February 17, 2023 - February 23, 2023
Global Weather Hazards Southern Africa experiences flooding, while abnormal dryness continues in Eastern Africa Global February 10, 2023 - February 16, 2023
Global Weather Hazards Southern Africa experiences flooding, while abnormal dryness continues in Eastern Africa Global February 10, 2023 - February 16, 2023
Markets & Trade
Price Watch February 2023 Global Price Watch Global February 28, 2023
Price Watch January 2023 Global Price Watch Global January 31, 2023
Price Watch December 2022 Global Price Watch Global December 30, 2022
Alerts / Special Reports
No reports available.
Food Security Classification Data View all Lesotho classification data
Lesotho Acute Food Insecurity Classification (July 2023 - January 2024)

Forward-looking analysis representing the most likely food security outcomes for the near term (July 2023 - September 2023) and medium term (October 2023 - January 2024) periods.

Lesotho Acute Food Insecurity Classification Shapefile July 2023 (.zip) (ZIP) Lesotho Acute Food Insecurity Classification July 2023 (.geojson) (GeoJSON) Near Term Projection: July 2023 - September 2023 (.png) (PNG) Medium Term Projection: October 2023 - January 2024 (.png) (PNG) Near Term Projection: July 2023 - September 2023 (.kml) (KML) Medium Term Projection: October 2023 - January 2024 (.kml) (KML) Lesotho Acute Food Insecurity Classification (June 2023 - January 2024)

Forward-looking analysis representing the most likely food security outcomes for the near term (June 2023 - September 2023) and medium term (October 2023 - January 2024) periods.

Lesotho Acute Food Insecurity Classification Shapefile June 2023 (.zip) (ZIP) Lesotho Acute Food Insecurity Classification June 2023 (.geojson) (GeoJSON) Near Term Projection: June 2023 - September 2023 (.png) (PNG) Medium Term Projection: October 2023 - January 2024 (.png) (PNG) Near Term Projection: June 2023 - September 2023 (.kml) (KML) Medium Term Projection: October 2023 - January 2024 (.kml) (KML) Lesotho Acute Food Insecurity Classification (May 2023 - September 2023)

Forward-looking analysis representing the most likely food security outcomes for the near term (May 2023) and medium term (June 2023 - September 2023) periods.

Lesotho Acute Food Insecurity Classification Shapefile May 2023 (.zip) (ZIP) Lesotho Acute Food Insecurity Classification May 2023 (.geojson) (GeoJSON) Near Term Projection: May 2023 (.png) (PNG) Medium Term Projection: June 2023 - September 2023 (.png) (PNG) Near Term Projection: May 2023 (.kml) (KML) Medium Term Projection: June 2023 - September 2023 (.kml) (KML)
Seasonal Calendar Seasonal Calendar

The Seasonal Calendar shows the annual and cyclical patterns of key food and income sources in a country throughout the typical year.
Lesotho Seasonal Calendar
Remote Sensing Imagery Remote Sensing Imagery

USGS-provided data and imagery supports FEWS NET's monitoring efforts of weather and climate throughout the world.

View all remote sensing imagery
Get the latest food security updates in your inbox Sign up for emails

The information provided on this Website is not official U.S. Government information and does not represent the views or positions of the U.S. Agency for International Development or the U.S. Government.