Average stock and price levels favor an average household access to staple foods
Key Messages
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The 2016/2017 agricultural campaign has started with a two week delay in the beginning of the rainy season in the Forestry Region compared to the same period last year. In this zone, the planting of rice, maize and groundnut began in the last two weeks of April in most locations. In other regions of the country, field preparation, as usual, has only partially started due to the irregularity of the rains.
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Sufficient market supply and stable household food stocks until the beginning of June will favor good food availability in the country. In addition, the stability of staple food prices, notably local and imported rice (5000 to 5000 GNF/kg for local rice and 4000 to 4500 GNR/kg for imported rice) allows average household food access, which is maintaining them in Minimal (IPC Phase 1) food insecurity until September.
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The resurgence of Ebola in Koropara sub-prefecture of the N’Zérékoré Prefecture in March has been completely controlled with the implementation of stringent and effective measures by the government and its partners. It has not caused significant impacts on the socioeconomic life of the population. Liberia’s continued border closure with Guinea despite the control of the outbreak could have negative effects on traders and exporters.
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The tendency of higher food prices and elevated consumption demands during Ramadan, which coincides with the beginning of the lean season this year, will negatively impact market access for poor households, which may limit their food diversity given the choice of less expensive foods.