Slight improvement in trade flows to the north from southern supply markets
KEY MESSAGES
• Improving trade flows into northern areas of the country with the reopening of major roads to the south and to Niger, along with an influx of humanitarian assistance, is helping to stock markets with adequate supplies of staple foods, particularly in agropastoral areas of the Timbuktu and Gao regions. However, unstable security conditionsin the north are a continued threat to humanitarian assistance and commercial activities.
• Prices for millet from southern Mali are 15 to 30 percent lower than last month on the Timbuktu and Gao markets and are at stable but high levels on the Kidal market. Similar to other markets throughout the country, food prices at this market are 10 to 30 percent above the five-year average.
• The depletion of food stocks, a decline in livestock sales(due to low demand), and a lack of income-generating opportunities for most pastoralists in conflict-affected areas are limiting household food access. A continuation of the status quo will propel pastoral populations in the northern part of the country, who are currently Stressed (IPC Phase 2), into Crisis (IPC Phase 3) by April.