Key Messages
In West Africa,2013/14 grain harvests were near-average in the Sahel and market supplies improved in may parts of the region in January. Production shortfalls in eastern Niger and northern Chad resulted in atypical price increases. Institutional purchases began in January at average levels in Niger, but above-average levels in Mali. Rice imports from international markets contributed food availability in coastal countries.
In East Africa, sorghum prices continued to increase atypically in Sudan and South Sudan. Maize prices decreased in Kenya and southern Uganda with recent harvests. Maize and rice prices remained atypically stable in Tanzania. The effects of localized conflict, the devaluation of local currencies, and high levels of inflation reinforced upward price trends in some areas.
In Southern Africa, maize prices increased as the lean season peaked. Prices remained above their respective 2013 and five-year average levels due to tight regional supplies, as well as strong export and institutional demand. Maize grain and meal prices continued to increase atypically in Zambia and Malawi. Rice, cassava, and beans reinforced food availability throughout the region.
In Haiti, local black bean and maize prices were stable or decreased due to adequate food availability country-wide. In Central America, maize prices were stable or decreased due to an average Primera harvest. Local and imported rice prices remained stable throughout the region. Coffee export prices increased slightly in January after declining considerably in 2013.
In Afghanistan and Tajikistan, wheat flour prices remained stable in January due to the availability recent above-average harvests and the availability of lower-priced imports from Kazakhstan.
International rice prices remained stable or decreased in January 2014. Maize prices were stable as global stocks replenished. Wheat prices were stable after varying considerably in 2013 due to concerns over production in the Black Sea states. Crude oil prices were stable.
