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FPMA Bulletin #2, 10 March 2017

Attachments

Key messages

↗ International cereal export prices increased further in February. Wheat and maize quotations were mainly underpinned by strong demand but ample global supplies and generally favourable early prospects for 2017 crops limited the increase. International prices of rice also increased, mostly reflecting currency movements and expectations of stronger Basmati sales.

↗ In East Africa, cereal prices remained at record or near-record highs in February, underpinned by the sharply-reduced 2016/17 harvests following severe dry weather. Low water and pasture availability leading to the deterioration of livestock body conditions and destocking by farmers resulted in a sharp decline in livestock prices.

↗ In Nigeria, prices of staple foods, including cereals and tubers, rose sharply in January and reached record to near-record levels. The persistent depreciation of the local currency, soaring transport costs and civil insecurity more than offset the price downward effect from the 2016 above-average harvest.