Below-average dry season production limits availability of food in the Extreme North

Poor dry season harvests of sorghum, compared to past years, are not sufficient to fill the deficit from the rainy season production. As a result, traders are taking speculative measures, which is leading to high cereal prices in markets. Despite administrative measures to ban the export of cereals to neighboring countries, in February cereal prices remained high throughout most markets in the region.

Average prices of sorghum and maize are respectively 51 percent and 29 percent higher than last year. Compared to the average prices over the past five years, sorghum has increased 43 percent and maize 23 percent. Livestock prices are still below average and coupled with poor production, prices have seen decreases of 57 percent in Maroua, 23 percent in Kousseri, and 57 percent in Mokolo compared to the five-year average.

Except for Logone and Chari departments where food distribution is concentrated, other departments of the Extreme North are seeing an early household demand at markets. Insecurity, marked by attacks by small armed groups that are part of Boko Haram, continues to negatively affect income opportunities.

In addition to the livelihoods distributions in Logone and Chari departments, cash transfer programs and livestock sales expected in the region, particularly in communities near the Nigerian border, have not yet started. The resulting high prices of staple foods and the low incomes are not favorable for household food access at markets. With the early depletion of stock beginning in April, household dependence on markets will increase and will place poor housholds and displaced household in Stressed (IPC Phase 2).