Attachments
FOOD SECURITY SNAPSHOT
- Cereal production in 2024 forecast at above ‑ average level
- Prices of wheat flour near or below year-earlier levels
- About 186 000 people acutely food insecure in the last quarter of 2024
Cereal production in 2024 forecast at above-average level
Harvesting of the 2024 major rainfed coarse grain and irrigated rice crops concluded last December, while harvesting operations of the minor low-lying area crops are expected to start in February. The rainy season, which normally extends from July to September, was characterized by average to above-average cumulative rainfall amounts and a generally good spatial and temporal distribution of precipitation. The favourable weather conditions supported crop establishment and development in most cropping areas. However, in parts of southwestern areas, rainfall deficits resulted in localized production shortfalls. Furthermore, heavy rains last October triggered flooding in parts of Guidimakha, Gorgol, Brakna and Trarza regions, causing some localized crop losses.
In riverine areas, planting of flood-recession Walo crops, mainly maize, and of the off-season rice crop, both to be harvested between March and May, was disrupted by a slow retreat of river water and by damage to dikes.
The 2024 aggregate cereal production is forecast at 589 000 tonnes, near the 2023 level and about 25 percent above the average of the previous five years. The favourable production prospects mainly reflect generally good weather conditions and an expanded planted area, supported by government interventions aimed at boosting production. These measures included the provision of subsidized inputs and agricultural credit for irrigated rice, as well as improved access to mechanization services for the production of rainfed crops.
Prices of wheat flour near or below year-earlier levels
Retail prices of imported wheat flour, the most consumed cereal in the country, declined by up to 10 percent between September and December 2024, while prices of imported rice, another key food staple, remained stable during the same period. In December 2024, prices of wheat flour where near or below their year-earlier values, while prices of imported rice were 10 percent higher on a yearly basis.
About 186 000 people acutely food insecure in the last quarter of 2024
According to the latest Cadre Harmonisé (CH) analysis, about 186 000 people (4 percent of the analyzed population) were estimated to face acute food insecurity (CH Phase 3 [Crisis]) between October and December 2024. This shows a slight improvement compared to the same period in 2023, when nearly 233 000 people (5 percent of the analyzed population) were estimated to be in need of humanitarian assistance.
The ongoing conflict in neighboring Mali has led to a continuous inflow of refugees, with the majority seeking shelter in the Hodh Ech Chargui region, where the Mbera refugee camp is situated. As of December 2024, the camp was hosting about 115 000 refugees, a 25 percent increase from the same period in 2023, while an additional 148 000 people are located in host communities across the region. The refugee influx, including large numbers of Malian herders with their livestock, has exerted significant pressure on natural resources, livelihoods and basic social services, worsening local food insecurity.
The food security situation is worrisome for about 12 500 people affected by recent floods, as their livelihoods have been significantly disrupted.
During the 2025 June to August lean season period, about 375 000 people (8 percent of the analyzed population) are projected to be acutely food insecure, including nearly 32 000 people in CH Phase 4 (Emergency).