WEST AFRICA Price Bulletin December 2013

FEWS NET West Africa

West@fews.net

www.fews.net

FEWS NET is a USAID-funded activity. The content of this report does not necessarily 

reflect the view of the United States Agency for International Development or the United 

States Government

The Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) monitors trends in staple food prices in countries vulnerable to food insecurity. For each FEWS NET

country and region, the Price Bulletin provides a set of charts showing monthly prices in the current marketing year in selected urban centers and allowing users to compare current trends with both five-year average prices, indicative of seasonal trends, and prices in the previous year. 

West Africa can be divided into three agro-ecological zones or three different trade basins (West Basin, Central Basin and East

Basin). Both important for understanding market behavior and dynamics. 

The three major agro-ecological zones are the Sahelian, the Sudanese and the Coastal zones where production and

consumption can be easily classified. (1) In the Sahelian zone, millet is the principal cereal cultivated and consumed

particularly in rural areas and increasingly, when accessible, in urban areas. Exceptions include Cape Verde where maize and

rice are most important, Mauritania where sorghum and maize are staples, and Senegal with rice. The principal substitutes in

the Sahel are sorghum, rice, and cassava flour (Gari), the latter two in times of shortage. (2) In the Sudanese zone (southern

Chad, central Nigeria, Benin, Ghana, Togo, Côte d'Ivoire, southern Burkina Faso, Mali, Senegal, Guinea Bissau, Serra Leone,

Liberia) maize and sorghum constitute the principal cereals consumed by the majority of the population. They are followed by

rice and tubers, particularly cassava and yam. (3) In the Coastal zone, with two rainy seasons, yam and maize constitute the

most important food products. They are supplemented by cowpea, which is a significant source of protein. 

The three trade basins are known as the West, Central, and East basins. In addition to the north to south movement of

particular commodities, certain cereals flow horizontally. (1) The West basin refers to Mauritania, Senegal, western Mali,

Sierra Leone, Guinea, Liberia, and The Gambia where rice is most heavily traded. (2) The Central basin consists of Côte d'Ivoire,

central and eastern Mali, Burkina Faso, Ghana, and Togo where maize is commonly traded. (3) The East basin refers to Niger,

Nigeria, Chad, and Benin where millet is traded most frequently. These three trade basins are shown on the map above. 

FEWS NET gratefully acknowledges the local government agencies, market information systems, UN agencies, NGOs, and private sector partners. 
WEST AFRICA Price Bulletin

Famine Early Warning Systems Network 2

December 2013

0

50

100

150

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300

350

400

450

500

OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP

XOF/kg

Maize: Nominal retail prices in Niamey (Katako), Niger

5-year average 2007/08-2011/12 2012/13 2013/14

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP

XOF/kg

5 year avg. 2008/09-2012/13 2012/13 2013/14

Maize: Nominal retail prices in Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP

XAF/kg

Maize: Nominal retail prices in Bol, Chad

5 year avg. 2008/09-2012/13 2012/13 2013/14

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP

XOF/kg

Maize: Nominal retail prices in Sikasso, Mali

5 year avg. 2008/09-2012/13 2012/13 2013/14

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP

XOF/kg

Maize: Nominal retail prices in Malanville, Benin

5 year avg. 2008/09-2012/13 2012/13 2013/14

0

20

40

60

80

100

OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP

GHS/100 kg

Maize: Nominal retail prices in Tamale, Ghana

5 year avg. 2008/09-2012/13 2012/13 2013/14

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP

XOF/kg

Maize: Nominal retail prices in Bouake, Côte d'Ivoire

5 year avg. 2008/09-2012/13 2012/13 2013/14

MAIZE: Maize is the main food staple for the majority of the Guinean and West African coastal counties, and

particularly food insecure and rural populations, and acts as a substitute for millet and sorghum in the Sahel

during times of shortfalls. It is also used by industry and for animal feed.

0

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2,000

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5,000

6,000

7,000

8,000

9,000

10,000

OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP

NGN/100 kg

Maize: Wholesale prices in Kano (Dawanau), Nigeria

5 year avg. 2008/09-2012/13 2012/13 2013/14
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Famine Early Warning Systems Network 3

December 2013

COWPEA: Cowpea is a basic food for the coastal countries and also acts as a source of protein and meat

substitute for poor households in the Sahel.

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP

CVE/kg

Maize: Nominal retail prices in Praia, Cape Verde

5 year avg. 2008/09-2012/13 2012/13 2013/14

0

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200

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500

600

700

800

900

1,000

OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP

XO>F/kg

Cowpea: Nominal retail prices in Maradi, Niger

5-year average 2007/08-2011/12 2012/13 2013/14

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

1,000

OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG

XOF/kg

Cowpea: Nominal retail prices in Cotonou (Dantokpa), 

Benin

5 year avg. 2008/09-2012/13 2012/13 2013/14

0

3,000

6,000

9,000

12,000

15,000

18,000

21,000

24,000

27,000

OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP

NGN/100 kg

Cowpea: Wholesale prices in Kano (Dawanau), Nigeria

5 year avg. 2008/09-2012/13 2012/13 2013/14

0

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100

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200

250

300

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450

500

OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP

GHS/100 kg

Cowpea: Nominal retail prices in Accra, Ghana

5 year avg. 2008/09-2012/13 2012/13 2013/14
WEST AFRICA Price Bulletin

Famine Early Warning Systems Network 4

December 2013

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP

XOF/kg

Rice: Nominal retail prices in Niamey (Katako), Niger

5-year average 2007/08-2011/12 2012/13 2013/14

0

25

50

75

100

125

150

175

200

OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP

NGN/kg

Rice: Nominal retail price in Ibadan (Bodija), Nigeria 

5 year avg. 2008/09-2012/13 2012/13 2013/14

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP

XOF/kg

Rice: Nominal retail prices in Ouagadougou 

(Sankaryare), Burkina Faso

5 year avg. 2008/09-2012/13 2012/13 2013/14

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP

XAF/kg

5 year avg. 2008/09-2012/13 2012/13 2013/14

Rice (imported): Nominal retail prices in N'Djamena, Chad

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP

CVE/kg

Rice: Nominal retail prices in Bamako (Niarela), Mali

5 year avg. 2008/09-2012/13 2012/13 2013/14

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP

XOF/kg

5 year avg. 2008/09-2012/13 2012/13 2013/14

Rice: Nominal retail prices in Cotonou (Dantopka), Benin

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP

XOF/kg

5 year avg. 2008/09-2012/13 2012/13 2013/14

Rice: Nominal retail prices in Abidjan (Adjame), Côte d'Ivoire

RICE: Rice is an important commodity for the urban Sahel and West African region. Monitoring market trends

for rice is necessary because unfavorable conditions can lead to social instability. All of the markets shown here

represent those that import international products for dissemination to other markets.

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP

GHS/100 kg

Rice: Nominal retail prices in Accra, Ghana

5 year avg. 2008/09-2012/13 2012/13 2013/14
WEST AFRICA Price Bulletin

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November 2013

0

20

40

60

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100

120

140

OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP

CVE/kg

Rice: Nominal retail prices in Praia, Cape Verde

5 year avg. 2008/09-2012/13 2012/13 2013/14

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP

XOF/kg

Rice: Nominal retail prices in Dakar (Tilene), Senegal

5 year avg. 2008/09-2012/13 2012/13 2013/14

0

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100

150

200

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300

350

400

OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP

MRO/kg

5 year avg. 2008/09-2012/13 2012/13 2013/14

Rice (imported): Nominal retail prices in Nouakchott, Mauritania

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9,000

10,000

OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP

NGN/100 kg

Sorghum: Nominal wholesale prices in Kano, Nigeria

5 year avg. 2008/09-2012/13 2012/13 2013/14

0

100

200

300

400

500

OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP

MRO/kg

5 year avg. 2008/09-2012/13 2012/13 2013/14

Sorghum: Nominal retail prices in Nouakchott, Mauritania

SORGHUM: Sorghum is generally the first substitute for millet and is more important in the Sahel for

consumption, industry, and animal feed. There is currently significant competition between human food

consumption in Sahelian zones and breweriesthat demand sorghum for beer production.
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December 2013

YAMS: Yams are important for food security in the coastal countries and the southern part of Nigeria. Through

commercial flows, surplus yam from the coastal countries moves to the urban areas of the Sahel and several

rural areas to reinforce the food availability during the lean season and times of shortfalls. It is also a first

substitute when cereal prices start to rise.

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100

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OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP

XOF/kg

5 year avg. 2008/09-2012/13 2012/13 2013/14

Sorghum: Nominal retail prices in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

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100

150

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350

OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP

XOF/kg

Sorghum: Nominal retail prices in Zinder, Niger

5-year average 2007/08-2011/12 2012/13 2013/14

0

100

200

300

400

500

OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP

NGN/kg

Yams: Nominal retail prices in Lagos, Nigeria

2 year avg. 2011/12-2012/13 2012/13 2013/14

0

100

200

300

400

500

OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP

XOF/kg

5 year avg. 2008/09-2012/13 2012/13 2013/14

Yams: Nominal retail prices in Cotonou (Dantokpa), Benin

0

100

200

300

400

500

OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP

GHS/100 kg

Yams: Nominal retail prices in Accra, Ghana

5 year avg. 2008/09-2012/13 2012/13 2013/14

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP

XOF/kg

5 year avg. 2008/09-2012/13 2012/13 2013/14

Yams: Nominal retail prices in Abidjan (Adjame), Côte d'Ivoire

Previous year 2012/13 Current year 2013/14 2 year average 2011/12-2012/13 5 year average 2008/09-2012/13
WEST AFRICA Price Bulletin

Famine Early Warning Systems Network 7

December 2013

MILLET: Millet is the main food staple for a majority of the Sahelian food insecure populations, particularly

for the rural and urban poor. These are the main market centers for the Sahelian countries, where a

majority of the population relies on it.

0

50

100

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OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP

XOF/kg

Millet: Nominal wholesale prices in Maradi, Niger

5-year average 2007/08-2011/12 2012/13 2013/14

0

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

10,000

OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP

NGN/100 kg

Millet: Wholesale prices in Kano (Dawanau), Nigeria

5 year avg. 2008/09-2012/13 2012/13 2013/14

0

100

200

300

400

500

OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP

XOF/kg

Millet: Nominal retail prices in Ougadougou 

(Sankaryare), Burkina Faso

5 year avg. 2008/09-2012/13 2012/13 2013/14

0

100

200

300

400

500

OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP

XAF/kg

Millet: Nominal retail prices in N'Djamena, Chad

5 year avg. 2008/09-2012/13 2012/13 2013/14

0

100

200

300

400

500

OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP

XOF/kg

Millet: Nominal retail prices in Segou, Mali

5 year avg. 2008/09-2012/13 2012/13 2013/14

0

100

200

300

400

500

OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP

XOF/kg

Millet: Nominal retail prices in Kaolak, Senegal

5 year avg. 2008/09-2012/13 2012/13 2013/14