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Summary
Our monthly Food Security Monitor is one way AGRA makes data available to key stakeholders to underpin evidence-based decision-making.
Highlights from the March 2025 Food Security Monitor are summarised below:
Food Commodity Prices Updates
Ethiopia registered the lowest price for maize across five East African countries, at USD 291/MT, while Kenya has the highest price at USD 452/MT. In local currency, the price of maize is well above what was recorded a year ago, except in Ethiopia, where it dropped by 4.52%. The price fluctuations were primarily influenced by stock shortages caused by seasonal variations and high demand for maize from the southern region.
In Southern Africa, price of Maize increased in both Zambia and Malawi by 22% and 15% month-on-month to USD 371/MT and USD 966/Mt respectively. The price shock in Zambia is attributed to stock depletion from the cereal imports from neighbouring Tanzania, coupled with an increase in electricity tariffs in response to power shortages. In Malawi, constrained domestic and regional supply across Southern Africa, currency depreciation and shortage of forex have contributed to increased processing and distribution costs due to higher prices of key imported inputs like fuel. As a result, the Government of Malawi has prohibited the importation of select commodities, including cereals, horticulture crops and dairy products, among others.
In West Africa, Nigeria recorded the lowest maize price at USD 347/MT in March 2025, down from USD 375/Mt in February 2025. Conversely, Togo has the highest maize price at USD 495/MT, up from USD 478/Mt. The decline in maize prices in Nigeria when measured in USD mirrors the trends observed in local currencies, with prices falling by 5.16% and 9.72% over the past one and three months, respectively. Overall, maize prices have begun to decline compared to the past three months driven by increased supplies from recent harvests. The onset of Ramadan compelled farmers to sell their newly harvested crops to purchase essential items, contributing to the decrease in prices in the region.
Meanwhile, rice prices have risen compared to March 2024 in most parts of the region, except in Niger markets, where prices have declined by 6% to 13%, supported by above-average cereal production in 2024.
Food Security Updates
Like February, the prevalence of insufficient food consumption (IFC) remained unchanged in March in all monitored countries across East, Southern, and West Africa, except Nigeria which recorded a 0.73% improvement, equivalent to 700,000 people. Over the past six month, the list of countries identified as food insecurity hotspots, where over 50% of the population experiences IFC, has remained unchanged: Burkina Faso (56.6%), Mali (69.1%), and Niger (82.6%). The incidence of IFC has also remained stable in majority of the monitored countries across the continent, compared to a year ago, with notable declines in Nigeria and Zimbabwe by 5.78% and 18.18%, respectively. However, Ghana, Rwanda, South Sudan, Togo, and Uganda have experienced significant increases. Uganda recorded the largest increase in IFC, rising by 116.87% from 8.3 million people in March 2024 to 18 million people in March 2025. This Is attributed to conflicts and insecurity in some parts of the country and neighbouring countries, driving the influx of refugees into Uganda, and persistent weather shocks which reduced crop outputs.
Food Trade Updates
• The Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), initiated by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in partnership with the African Union Commission (AUC) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, has seen a significant advancement with its official launch by KCB Group in Kenya and Bank of Kigali in Rwanda. These launches mark the first integration of PAPSS by banks in their respective countries, highlighting their dedication to promoting intra-African trade and supporting AfCFTA's initiatives.
• The Tanzania Plant Health and Pesticides Authority (TPHPA) has raised phytosanitary certificate fees by 460 %, creating significant challenges for the country's agricultural export sector. Previously, exporters paid Tsh58,347 for phytosanitary certification and inspection of a container consignment. Under the revised fees, the charges rise to Tsh331,320 comprising Tsh201,320 for inspection and Tsh130,000 for certification, applicable to consignments over 1,000 kilograms. The increased fees threaten the competitiveness of local agricultural products compared to its regional peers. For instance, the phytosanitary certificate costs just 200 Rwandan francs (Tsh364.1) In Rwanda, 5,000 Ugandan shillings (Tsh3,348) in Uganda, and Ksh 600 (Tsh11,880) in Kenya.
• The Government of Malawi has prohibited the importation of various commodities including selected vegetables, maize flour, fresh milk, peanut butter, meat products, honey, popcorn, Irish potatoes, garlic, ginger, and onions, among others. This measure, which shall be in effect till March 2027, aim to protect local industries, stimulate local production, create jobs, and foster the economic empowerment of Malawians.
• Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, all currently under military rule, have introduced a new 0.5% levy on imported goods from Nigeria and other Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) member nations. This move aims to finance a newly formed three-state union following their departure from the larger regional economic bloc.