Attachments
FOOD SECURITY SNAPSHOT
- Land preparation for 2025 cereal crops underway
- Cereal production in 2024 estimated at above-average level
- About 122 000 people acutely food insecure between March and May 2025
Land preparation for 2025 cereal crops underway
Land preparation is ongoing and sowing of the 2025 coarse grain crops, including maize, millet and sorghum, is about to start, while planting of the 2025 rice crop is expected to begin in June. Weather forecasts indicate near-average rainfall amounts between May and July, which are expected to support planting operations and crop establishment.
In pastoral areas, seasonal dry weather conditions are prevailing and availability of pasture is limited across the country. Crop residues from the 2024 harvest are supporting fodder availability in some areas. Livestock body conditions are generally still satisfactory and the animal health situation is stable, with no major disease outbreaks reported. However, suspected cases of Peste des Petits Ruminants have been reported in the Oio region, pending official confirmation.
Cereal production in 2024 estimated at above-average level
The 2024 aggregate cereal production is officially estimated at about 335 000 tonnes, approximately 20 percent above the average of the previous five years, reflecting generally favourable weather conditions. However, heavy rains triggered flooding in September 2024, resulting in localized crop losses.
About 122 000 people acutely food insecure between March and May 2025
According to the March 2025 Cadre Harmonisé (CH) analysis, nearly 122 000 people are estimated to face acute food insecurity (CH Phase 3 [Crisis]) between March and May 2025. This shows a substantial increase in the number of acutely food insecure people compared to the same period in 2024, when about 98 000 people were estimated to be in need of humanitarian assistance. However, this deterioration is also due to methodological issues, as the analyzed population in 2025 increased by about one-third compared to 2024.
Acute food insecurity is mainly driven by reduced incomes from the 2024 cashew production. Weather shocks resulted in production shortfalls and, consequently, a decline in exports, while farmgate prices reached a five-year low. Additionally, logistical constraints at the port of Bissau contributed to lower revenues. Elevated food prices have constrained access to food across the country, while flooding in the second half of 2024 affected the livelihoods of about 58 000 people.
During the 2025 June to August lean season period, about 146 000 people (8 percent of the analyzed population) are expected to face acute food insecurity.