KEY MESSAGES
Cereal prices reached a five-year high in April, with the sharpest increases in the Maradi and Diffa regions, where millet and sorghum prices are 30 to 50 percent above the seasonal average. These increases are due to the tightening of market supplies as imports from Nigeria, an important component of cereal availability this time of year, have declined.
Aside from exceptionally high prices, other food security drivers are in line with normal seasonal trends, the combined positive effects of which should keep food insecurity in most parts of the country at IPC Phase 1: « Minimal » levels between now and September.
However, food security has deteriorated in the Diffa region, where reduced household income stemming from the combined effects of pepper production shortfalls and decreasing livestock prices will keep food insecurity at IPC Phase 2: Stress levels through September.