Niger Breaking News Update: High food prices limit poor households’ access to basic food, September 2023 – Niger

Local food prices have begun their seasonal decline, but remain high relative to the five-year average for poor households, who continue to depend on markets and have average incomes below the daily income of agricultural workers. They work above average to earn the income they need to access enough food to meet their consumption needs. Most of the poor households in agricultural and agrarian livelihood zones are experiencing severe food insecurity stress (IPC Phase 2). This limitation of food is exacerbated in the conflict-affected areas of Tillaberi, Tifa, Dahua Nord and Maradi Sud-West, where poor households face crisis (IPC phase 3) because they lack the resources to buy food. and not benefiting from regular food assistance due to economic and trade barriers to implementing food and humanitarian response programs.

Sanctions imposed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Niger following the July 26, 2023 coup include the suspension of economic and commercial transactions and the closure of borders with Benin and Nigeria. Niger is a major source and transit country for food, medical and nutritional products. The impact of these sanctions is reflected in a significant decline in domestic and imported goods and a sharp rise in food prices, especially for imported goods. Anticipating a general increase in consumer prices due to potential substitution effects, the Ministry of Economy and Finance decided to cut import duties on rice, cooking oil, wheat flour and sugar by 25 percent. Also, political tensions have eased following the departure of the French ambassador and the announcement of the immediate withdrawal of French forces from Niger, opening up opportunities for dialogue with ECOWAS and other development partners.

With overall favorable rainfall, millet and cowpea crops are maturing earlier than average, resulting in improved food supply and a 15-20 percent reduction in food prices compared to previous months. However, delays in the start of the agricultural season, land abandonment due to insecurity, and medium to long dry weather have delayed the phenological development of crops and reduced planted areas. This situation will lead to a reduction in agricultural production of cereals and cash crops compared to last year and five-year averages, but the reduction will be minor if good rainfall continues till the end of the season i.e. October. 2023-2024 Agricultural Perspective for the Regional Food Crisis Prevention and Management Organization (PREGEC) meeting in September 2023. Pasture and water conditions improved after a period of drought following a delay in rains. Animal body conditions, market value and milk production have also improved, deteriorating earlier than average due to reduced biomass production leading to an early decrease in available feed.