Key messages

• The agricultural sector performed very well in 2011. The production of wheat and corn respectively doubled and tripled compared with last year.

• Food prices continued to decrease in July 2011 (5% compared with June) and then stabilized in August and September.

• According to the World Bank’s latest poverty dynamics review, poverty increased from 22.7% in 2008 to 24.7% in 2009. In rural areas poverty increased by 3%. Expectations are that poverty has increased in 2010 but will start decreasing in 2011.

• During the first nine months of 2011, cereal imports were 7% higher in value than during the same period in 2010 although the quantities were 27% less.