Some impacts of early season dryness are expected on main season harvests

Rice production is expected to be slightly below last year’s levels in the North, West and Central areas due to below-average rainfall in April and May. Additionally, an atypical influx of grasshoppers as well as average levels of other pests and disease could undermine the harvest prospects in some localized areas. Despite these losses, there are also reports of surplus fresh cassava gari and fufu and overall agricultural production is expected to be near average this season.

Atypically high commodity prices (fuel, imported foods, rice) due to inflation and poor trade flows are affecting food access in parts of the Northern and Southeastern Regions. Imported rice prices are up 10 percent from July to August 2016 and 27 percent from the five year average.  Road conditions have deteriorated beyond normal levels due to heavy downpours, increasing transport costs while the Liberian dollar continues to decline against the US dollar, declining by 5 percent from April to August (OANDA). 

There is adequate food availability across the country due to surplus cassava, adequate stocks of imported rice in Monrovia, ongoing rice harvests in the Southeastern Region, as well as a consistent supply of vegetables and other tuber crops on most local markets.  Additionally, regular demand for in-kind and wage labor is improving household purchasing power and food access. All areas are expected to be in Minimal (IPC Phase 1) acute food insecurity through January 2017.

Some households in Margibi, Montserrado, Bomi, Bong and Nimba lost their jobs due to the decline of rubber and iron ore exports resulting from low international prices. Affected households, accounting for less than 20 percent of the total population, are meeting minimal food needs through charcoal production, migration, remittances, and borrowing.  They continue to face difficulties meeting their basic non-food expenditures, and are expected to be in Stressed (IPC Phase 2) food insecurity through January 2017.