Informing humanitarians worldwide 24/7 — a service provided by UN OCHA

World + 37 more

Global Price Watch: August 2016 Prices (September 30, 2016)

Attachments

Key Messages

  • In West Africa, market availability reached seasonally low levels in August, at the peak of the lean season. However, supplies were generally adequate from above-average 2015/16 regional harvests, and international rice and wheat imports. Markets remained disrupted throughout the Lake Chad Basin and in parts of Central and Northern Mali. The recent depreciation of the Naira has led to price increases across Nigeria and reduced purchasing power for livestock and cash crops in the Sahel.
  • In East Africa, staple food prices remained extremely high in South Sudan following abrupt escalation of conflict in Juba in July and the resulting significant disruption of market activity. Despite well below average supply from production in Ethiopia in late 2015 and early 2016, staple food prices have remained stable with the availability of food through humanitarian assistance programs, imports, and the start of green harvests in some areas. Maize prices were seasonally stable in surplus-producing Tanzania and Uganda. Markets remain disrupted by insecurity in Yemen.
  • In Southern Africa, maize availability is well below average following consecutive years of well-below average regional production. Production in Zambia is estimated as average, while South Africa did not produce enough to meet domestic requirements. Maize prices did not decline during the post-harvest period and are well above-average levels across the region. Imports from outside of the region (likely from well-supplied international markets) are required to fill the very large maize import gap.
  • In Central America, the lean season continued with the delay of the Primera harvest. Maize prices were atypically stable as imports sustained supplies while bean price trends were mixed. Locally-produced staple food prices declined in Haiti with the progression of harvests in August, while imported rice and what prices remained stable.
  • In Central Asia, wheat availability remained adequate. Prices are significantly below their respective 2015 levels in Kazakhstan, the main exporter in the region, and significantly above the average in Tajikistan. Prices continued to be near average in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
  • International staple food markets remain well supplied. Wheat prices were mixed, while maize, rice, and soybean prices fell in August. Crude oil prices increased and remained well below average.