KEY MESSAGES
In West Africa, regional 2013/14 grain harvests were 11 percent above average. Markets were well-supplied in February. Production shortfalls in eastern Niger and northern Chad resulted in atypical price increases. Institutional purchases were ongoing in Niger and Mali at normal levels in February. Rice imports from international markets contributed to food availability in coastal countries (Pages 3-5).
In East Africa, sorghum and millet prices continued to increase atypically in Sudan. Maize prices decreased in Kenya and southern Uganda with recent harvests. Maize prices remained atypically stable in Tanzania due to ample stocks from recent harvests and in Uganda due to reduced exports to South Sudan. The effects of localized conflict, the devaluation of local currencies, and high levels of inflation reinforced upward price trends in some areas (Pages 5-8).
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 parts of Zambia and Zimbabwe. Rice, cassava, and beans reinforced food availability throughout the region (Pages 8-11).
In Haiti, local black bean and maize prices were stable due to generally well supplied markets. In Central America, red bean prices increased atypically in many places since, while remaining below their respective 2013 and five-year average levels. Local and imported rice prices remained stable throughout the region. Coffee export prices increased January and February 2014, after declining in 2013(Pages 11-13).
In Afghanistan and Tajikistan, wheat flour prices remained stable in February due to the availability recent above-average harvests and the availability of lower-priced imports from Kazakhstan (Pages 13-14).
International rice prices remained stable or decreased in February 2014.
Maize prices were stable as global stocks replenished. Wheat prices varied due to concerns over export capacity of key exporting countries.
Crude oil prices were stable (Pages 2-3).
