To more closely monitor the evolution and transmission of international and local food prices, FEWS NET is monitoring and reporting on staple food prices in key markets in urban and town centers in food insecure countries. A selection of these market centers, along with additional markets in non-presence (no FEWS NET office) countries are presented here. A longer list of commodities and markets is available at www.fews.net.
Key points:
- Prices increased for about 22 percent of all commodity-market pairs monitored last month, including significant increases in Qorioley and Baidoa (Somalia), Jibia (Nigeria), Kampala (Uganda), and Multan (Pakistan).
- Rice prices in Jalalabad (Afghanistan) decreased as the newly harvested rice entered the market. Prices were 43 percent lower than in November and 51 percent lower than a year ago.
- Of all commodities monitored in Somalia, only rice exhibited price declines last month.
This month's Price Watch includes 123 markets in 28 countries, now including international prices for wheat, maize and rice.
- Table 1 lists the five largest increases and decreases in prices of staple foods, from both the previous month and the previous year.
- Special Market Focus: "Are International Food Prices Transmitted to Southern Africa's Markets?"
FEWS NET grafefully acknowledges the national market information systems, Ministries of Agriculture, Regional Agricultural Intelligence Network (RATIN), the World Food Program, and various projects, foundations, and other partner for their assistance in provding these data.