The Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) monitors trends in staple food prices in countries vulnerable to food insecurity. For each FEWS NET country and region, the Price Bulletin provides a set of charts showing monthly prices in the current marketing year in selected urban centers and allowing users to compare current trends with both five-year average prices, indicative of seasonal trends, and prices in the previous year.

Maize grain, maize flour, cooking oil, and sugar represent the most important food commodities consumed by poor households. The Mbare market in Harare represents similar markets throughout the country from which most vulnerable households access basic commodities.