Attachments
FOOD SECURITY SNAPSHOT
- Planting of 2025 maize crop expected to start in late May
- Cereal output in 2024 estimated at above-average level
- Prices of cereals above their year-earlier levels
- About 244 000 people acutely food insecure during 2025 lean season
Planting of 2025 maize crop expected to start in late May
Planting operations of the 2025 maize crop are expected to start in late May, while planting of the 2025 rice, millet and sorghum crops is expected to begin in June with the establishment of the seasonal rains. Weather forecasts point to below-average rainfall amounts between May and July, which may affect planting operations and the establishment of early-planted crops.
In pastoral areas, seasonal dry weather conditions are prevailing. However, pasture conditions are still above average, as rangeland resources were adequately regenerated during the past June to October rainy season.
Cereal output in 2024 estimated at above-average level
The 2024 aggregate cereal production is officially estimated at about 125 000 tonnes, about 14 percent above the average of the previous five years. The enhanced government support, including a timely provision of seeds and fertilizers at subsidized prices, enabled farmers to expand the area planted and boosted production across the country. However, some dry spells affected yields in Upper River Region and Central River Region. Furthermore, heavy rains between July and September 2024 triggered flooding in some regions, which resulted in localized crop losses.
Prices of cereals above their year-earlier levels
Prices of locally produced rice and millet were about 10 percent higher on a yearly basis in March 2025, while prices of maize were about 20 percent above their year-earlier levels. The elevated prices of cereals were mostly due to the weakness of the local currency and the high level of transport costs.
About 244 000 people acutely food insecure during 2025 lean season
According to the latest Cadre Harmonisé (CH) analysis, about 244 000 people (10 percent of the analyzed population) are projected to face acute food insecurity (CH Phase 3 [Crisis] and above) during the June to August 2025 lean season period, including over 7 600 people in CH Phase 4 (Emergency). This represents a slight deterioration compared to the same period in 2024, when nearly 227 000 people (9 percent of the analyzed population) were estimated to be acutely food insecure.