Attachments
HIGHLIGHTS
Prices: Over the past two weeks, prices remained largely stable in Mogadishu, Hirshabelle, Galmudug, Jubaland, and Southwest. In contrast, Somaliland experienced price fluctuations, primarily due to supply shortages and inflationary pressures on the local currency. These challenges were likely exacerbated by the recent election period, which may have created uncertainty and prompted retail shops in major towns to reduce the purchasing and stocking of imported commodities. This, in turn, resulted in reduced market availability and subsequent price increases. Additionally, the slight depreciation of the Somaliland shilling, driven by the same factors during this period, further contributed to higher prices for imported items.
Local cereal prices, including white maize and red sorghum, remained stable in Mogadishu. However, there were minor price fluctuations in other regions, with a 1% to 3% change observed in Hirshabelle, Somaliland, Puntland, Galmudug, and Southwest. These minor adjustments suggest that the market remains largely balanced, with no major disruptions impacting the supply or pricing of local cereals.
Prices of imported food items, including rice, wheat flour, and pasta, remained stable in Mogadishu and Jubaland, with minor fluctuations of 1% to 3% observed in Hirshabelle, Galmudug, Puntland, and Southwest. In contrast, Somaliland experienced significant price increases, with rice rising by 7%, wheat flour by 9%, and pasta by 10%. Similarly, sugar prices remained stable across most regions but increased sharply by 12% in Somaliland, while vegetable oil followed this trend with a 5% rise, driven by the effects of the recent elections on market dynamics.
Camel milk and diesel prices remained stable across the assessed regions. However, slight variations of 1% to 2% were observed in Hirshabelle, Puntland, Southwest, and Somaliland, likely due to minor shifts in local supply and demand conditions. These small changes indicate a generally balanced market, with no significant disruptions affecting availability or pricing.
Exchange rates across most states showed stability; however, Somaliland experienced a 4% depreciation of its local currency against the U.S. dollar. This depreciation was likely driven by increased cash circulation during the recent election period, including campaign activities, which temporarily lowered the currency's value due to an oversupply in the market. Elections often disrupt financial systems due to increased liquidity and short-term uncertainty in market conditions, all of which may have contributed to the currency's temporary depreciation.
Availability: Overall, markets were adequately stocked to meet household demands. Nonetheless, specific markets such as Baki, Burco, Buur Hakaba, Caynabo, Ceel Barde, Ceel Afweyn, Ceel Dheer, Cerigaabo, Belet Xawo, Hobyo, Iskushuban, Jilib, Lughaye, Zeylac, Badhaadhe, Xarardheere, and Elwak, continued to face complete unavailability of vegetables. Additionally, markets such as Xarardheere, Kismayo, Balcad, Badhaadhe, Barawe, Qorioley, Buur Hakaba, Zeylac, Iskushuban, Luuq, Lughaye Jalalaqsi, Ceeldhere, and Ceel Afweyn, faced unavailability of some commodities such as sorghum, cowpeas, split peas and maize.
Assortment: Most markets remained vibrant, providing a wide range of commodity brands and quantities, demonstrating resilience. However, some parts of Jubaland, Somaliland, Puntland, and Hirshabelle experienced sporadic shortages of vegetables and some commodities such as rice, egg imported, okra, camel meat, pumpkin, bananas, and spinach, particularly in Cadale, Zeylac, Qandala, and Badhaadhe.
Quality: Commodities were consistently reported to meet satisfactory quality standards across all states nationwide.
Resilience: Throughout the country, the movement of goods remained consistent or showed minor variations influenced by persistent insecurity.
Logistics: Most major roads and corridors in Somalia are typically accessible, although specific routes encounter difficulties due to security concerns. These include routes like Belet-Weyne-Cadaado, Barawe-Jilib, Mogadishu-Marka-Barawe, Baydhaba–Qansax Dheere-Garbahaarey, Baydhaba-Doolow, Baydhaba-Luuq, Kismayo-Baardheere-Baydhaba, Kismayo-Afmadow-Dhobley, Gaalkacyo-Bacadwayne, Baydhaba-Buur Hakaba-Garbahaarey, and Abudwak-Xerale.