Summary
Our monthly Food Security Monitor is one way AGRA provides data to key stakeholders to support fact-based decisions. Highlights from the July 2024 Food Security Monitor are summarized below:
Food safety updates
Food shortages remain a problem in the Southern African region, particularly in Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. So far, most of the affected countries are taking various steps to address the expected shortages as the region enters the lean season. For example, Zambia has reached an agreement with its neighbour Tanzania to procure 650,000 tonnes of maize, despite private sector skepticism about logistics. So far, the Malawi government has also mobilised nearly US$100 million, equivalent to about 161,576 tonnes of maize, out of the 261,574 tonnes needed to meet lean season needs. As part of the drought mitigation plan, the Zimbabwe government has issued 651 import permits to private companies to procure at least 3.2 million tonnes of maize. Despite these efforts, drought- and conflict-affected parts of the region face conditions ranging from Stress (IPC Phase 2) to Crisis (IPC Phase 3), exacerbated by the early onset of the lean season.
In East Africa, some parts of South Sudan are affected by severe food insecurity and a risk of famine (IPC Phase 5), while the rest of the country is in Crisis (IPC Phase 3) and Emergency (IPC Phase 4) situations. In Ethiopia, food insecurity remains a problem, and much of the country is in IPC Phase 3 and 4. Otherwise, food security has improved in most parts of the region due to increased food supplies from previous harvests. In West Africa, parts of Burkina Faso and Mali are forecast to be in Emergency (IPC Phase 4) and Disaster (IPC Phase 5) situations due to increased insecurity and conflict. Apart from that, most parts of the region are in Crisis (IPC Phase 3).
Food commodity price updates
Maize prices in East Africa have started to increase compared to the last 1-3 months, with the exception of Rwanda where prices have remained lower over the last 1-12 months. The most expensive maize in the region is in Ethiopia, mainly due to continuous devaluation of the local currency, drought-related crop failures, and conflict-related disruptions in agriculture and trade. South Sudan, on the other hand, is experiencing the sharpest increase in maize prices in the region. In South Africa, grain prices in most countries remain high in local currency compared to the last 1-12 months due to macroeconomic challenges, the aftermath of Cyclone Freddy, and the drought caused by El Niño. However, ongoing efforts to import maize from other countries such as South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda may help stabilize retail prices during the winter season. In West Africa, local maize grain prices in the two West African countries overall show an upward trend compared to the last 3-12 months, with the exception of some markets in Togo where prices are stable or have decreased compared to the last 12 months. Price changes in millet and rice also show an upward trend, with the exception of Lagos where prices have decreased significantly compared to the last 1-12 months. All other markets in Niger and Nigeria recorded significantly higher rice prices during the same period, ranging from 4.29% in Agadez to 323.31% in Ibadan. The cost of living crisis due to high inflation rates, currency devaluation and increased fuel prices further pushed up prices of staple foods.
