New harvests lead to normalization of food security

According to preliminary agricultural production estimates, national cereal production is expected to be near average. Compared to the five-year average, production is up 1 percent for cereals, 14.10 percent for maize, and 12.47 percent for rice. Cowpea, sesame, and groundnuts have also shown increases of 20.6 percent, 38.5 percent, and 13.8 percent, respectively.

Due to recent harvests, household demand on markets has reduced and prices for sorghum and millet are stable, but maize prices are slightly higher than the five-year average. Due to good body conditions, livestock prices are near the five-year average, and are 10 and 19 percent above average for respectively for Sahelian male goats and sheep. 

Staple cereal prices should follow normal seasonal trends through March, due to average expected production and rural household stocks estimated at around 600,000 metric tons. Livestock prices will trend above average due to high demand during holidays at the end of the year. 

Due to good water availability, households will be able to engage in normal off-season (market-gardening and gold-mining) activities, allowing them to earn normal levels of income. Very poor households will be able to earn income from harvest labor during time, as well as from non-agricultural labor in construction and brick-making.