KEY MESSAGES
In West Africa, the effects of last year's flood-related production shortfalls and civil insecurity in Nigeria continue to disrupt staple food and livestock markets. Staple food prices remained stable in the central basin in June as producers sold remaining stocks from above-average 2012 harvests to finance the current agricultural season. Cereal prices were stable or started to increase in most structurally-deficit areas as the lean season approached. Staple food availability continues to improve in northern Mali (Pages 3-5).
In East Africa, staple food prices generally followed their seasonal trends in June. Prices increased in South Sudan, Sudan, and Ethiopia with the progression of the lean season, and decreased in Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda with ongoing harvests. Erratic cross-border trade flows, localized conflict and high levels of inflation further reinforced upward price trends in some areas. (Pages 5-7).
In Southern Africa, maize and maize meal prices decreased on most markets as harvests continued. Price levels remained above their respective 2012 and five-year average levels due to tight regional supplies resulting from localized production shortfalls during the previous two seasons, and strong export and institutional demand. Prices continued to increase in parts of Zambia due to strong export demand, and in parts of Zimbabwe due to limited supplies (Pages 7-9).
In Haiti, local black bean, maize, and maize flour prices were stable in rural areas with increased availability following spring harvests. Imported rice and wheat prices increased in Port-au-Prince between May and June, but were stable elsewhere in the country. In Central America, black and red beans prices were stable between May and June due to residual effects from above-average production in 2012. Maize price levels and trends varied by country (Pages 10-11).
In Afghanistan and Tajikistan, wheat and wheat flour prices were stable or decreased in June with ongoing harvests (Page 11-12).
International rice prices remained stable in June. Maize and wheat prices were stable at high levels; global supplies remain tight, but prospects for the upcoming 2013 harvests are favorable in key exporting countries (Figure 2). Crude oil prices were stable (Pages 2-3).