Attachments
The cost of food basket at the national level is estimated at 28,068 HTG for a family of 5, repre-senting a decrease of 5% in may 2024 compared to the previous month.
After months of increases, food basket costs fell by 5% in May 2024 compared to April 2024. Food basket cost evolution confirmed by the fall in overall inflation that began at the end of March 2024. Haiti Bank statistics show that inflation has fallen from 4.7% to 1.7% between March and April 2024. The main raisons of food prices fall are (1) cheaper fuel at the pump, (2) early spring production, (3) more imported foodstuffs, and (4) slight decrease in security concern that en-hance goods transportation. The good harvests in southern United States are also affecting the cost of imported prod-ucts. However, cost of the basket is still high at 28,068 HTG, up of 3% compared to December 2023. All departments saw a fall in the food basket cost, excepted the Northeast and the Centre, where it rose. The highest food basket costs in May have been recorded in the North-East and South-East, at 3,772 HTG and 32,822 HTG, respectively.
Fuel price at the pump decreased by 6% compared to last month but it increased in the black market.
After 20 days of shortage, fuel at the pump is available. In the last fortnight of May, fuel sales helped to reduce the cost of transporting goods, so food became cheaper. Compared with April, the price of fuel at the pump fell by 6% to 750. This is the lowest price since January 2024.However, the price of gasoline on the black market is still high at 1,300 HTG.
Increase in the global market functionnality Index compared to 2022 and 2023
Market Assessment carry out by iWFP in May 2024 on food and non-food highlights an average market functionality index of 3.55 based on a scale from 0 to 10.
This is up from November 2022 and 2023 despite security problems. The index is low in general, but it is still rising.
This shows that merchants and the market system are adapting to the global context.
There is enough goods available in general, with a score of 7 on a scale of 10. In May, the import of rice and wheat flour improved in some ports, which helped to increase their availability in neighbouring departments. The main market weaknesses are (i) high commodity prices despite the decrease, (ii) weak infrastructure and (iii) poor availability and quality of payment services. These dimensions of market functionality index were very low and need to be improved through market development assistance. Markets suffering with low functionality indices are Grande'Anse, Artibonite, Centre and West.
The supply chain is very responsive, with a resilience score of 7.8. This means that retailers can adapt quickly to changes in demand and disruptions in the supply chain.
Focus on food basket at Port-au-Prince métropolitain
The cost of food basket in Port-au-Prince Metropolitan fell by 13% compared with April. This was due to lower fuel prices and more imports. International food prices were also down particularly in the United States where good production is recorded.
Link between food basket cost and WFP cash assistance
In May 2024, WFP gave 15,840 HTG (120 dollars) to households of 5 people as a ration. This amount is enough to buy between 51% and 60% of the minimum food basket in 60% of the country’s departments. However, in Nord Est and Grand Sud, this amount allows households to buy only 43% and 48% of the minimum food basket. In Nord-Ouest and Nippes, the transfers allow for between 61% and 100% of the food basket to be purchased.
METHODOLOGY
Market monitoring survey
WFP monitored 49 markets with 280 retailers, ten (10) markets monitored by the National Food Security Coordi-nation (CNSA). Market monitoring system data is col-lected monthly from key informant retailers in face-to-face interviews in 10 departments of Haiti, and weekly for ZM of PAP. At least five KIs are interviewed for each product in a market. The selection of food commodities takes into account the Minimum Expenditure Basket (MEB), according to the methodology of the Joint Market Monitoring Initiative (ICSM), and includes seven basic commodities: wheat flour, rice, corn, sugar, black beans, red beans, and vegetable oil. It takes into account the energy needs (2,100 kcal) of a family of five people ac-cording to thPHERE minimum requirements