Overall improvement in household access to farmland compared to average

In relatively calmer areas in the center, south, and west of the country, new crops are the primary food source for most households. In contrast, in the north, northwest, and southeast areas where access to fields is reduced, households are more dependent on markets and harvested products and continue to face Crisis (IPC Phase 3).

Rainfall remains favorable for agricultural activities, and due to the generally calmer security situation, access to land for production is better this season. However, in the northern and northwestern prefectures, floods destroyed homes and fields in August, especially in the Birao sub-prefecture. In addition, reduced access to fields due to the threat of rebel groups in the northwest, the late return of IDP in the north to practice agricultural activities, and insufficient seeds could lead to reductions in cropped area and, therefore, production in these areas. Nevertheless, the expected productions will be higher at the national level than the average of the last five years.

In large urban centers (cities of Bangui, Bimbo, and Begoua), the assessment of the impact of COVID-19 carried out in July by the statistical services of the Ministry of Planning (ICASEES) in collaboration with partners (WFP, World Bank), reports that paid jobs mainly in commerce and income-generating activities fell by 26 percent. Additionally, declines in income and purchasing power drive poor or borderline food consumption among more than 20 percent of households.

The supply chain of imported food from Cameroon still remains disrupted due to health controls at the borders, the degradation of the roads, and illegal taxes imposed by rebel groups. As a result, lead times and transport costs increase, negatively impacts internal flows and prices to consumers. In mid-September, staple foods (maize, cassava, imported rice) were generally stable or down slightly compared to the previous month. However, prices remain high, on average 60 percent and 28 percent for imported rice and cassava and maize, respectively, compared to the same period last year.