Staple cereal prices remain stable

Due to slightly above-average cereal production compared to the five-year average, poor households continue to have normal food consumption, primarily from their own production. Normal incomes from market gardening, gold panning, small sales, and stable prices for staple goods, allow the majority of households to be in Minimal (IPC Phase 1) food insecurity. 

Normal household demand, and above-average availability of cereals in markets, have resulted in stable or slightly below-average prices for some commodities such as millet, maize and sorghum compared to the five-year average. However, the increase in prices of consumer goods such as bread and cooking oil (15 percent and 7 percent respectively), will contribute to reduced household purchasing power. 

March is the beginning of the lean season for livestock and the forage deficit in the far north of the country (Livelihood Zones 8 and 7) has led to increased demand for agro-industrial by-products, which have seen a price increase of 8 to 15 percent compared to the usual seasonal price as a result. Additionally, the deterioration of the security situation in this part of the country prevents livestock traders from crossing the border with Mali. This is reflected in the decline in demand at livestock markets.