The deteriorating security situation is disrupting normal market functioning in the north of the country

Since the third quarter of 2018, terrorist threats and attacks have increased in the country, particularly in the Sahel, East, Boucle du Mouhoun and North regions - currently under a state of emergency declared by the government. In addition to these incidents, there were community conflicts at the beginning of the month, which resulted in more than 12,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the Centre-North region, increasing the number of IDPs to more than 60,000 in the country.

In the provinces bordering Mali and Niger, the recurrence of terrorist attacks limits the number of foreign buyers visiting agricultural and livestock markets. While average cereal prices at the national level have remained broadly stable compared to the five-year average, in these border areas (Djibo, Dori, Gorom Gorom and Gayéri), commodity price levels remain slightly to moderately (9 to 24 percent) above the five-year average.

Nevertheless, prior to the end of year holidays, demand for animals remained steady, contributing to the improvement in price levels compared to the five-year average, with moderate increases of 32 and 25 percent respectively for Sahelian rams and goats. As a result, the terms of trade between goats and millet remained similar to normal, except for a 15 percent decline in the Gorom-Gorom market.

With average to above-average stock levels, the majority of poor households, with the exception of IDPs and refugees (assistance and market dependent), have access to three meals a day as usual (SAP, Joint Mission Report, December 2018). Due to insecurity, they have limited access to gold panning sites in border areas. On the other hand, market gardening activities are carried out normally. In addition, the sale of cash crops (sesame, groundnuts, forest products) at prices similar to or slightly above average continues to provide income to households.