Cereal price average compared to 5-year average

According to market monitoring conducted by CILSS, 9 out of 17 countries recorded cereal price increases above 10% compared to the 5-year average. Cereal prices increased by more than 50% compared to the 5-year average in Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. Senegal, a country that is usually less affected by seasonal increases, recorded a 15% increase of cereal prices compared to the 5-year average, while Mali and Mauritania experienced nearly no increases. The impact of high food prices on the food and nutrition situation was probably overall less strong felt than initially feared (with the exception of Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone, which suffered from macro-economic shocks). Many national response plans included direct and immediate support for the most vulnerable populations (free cereal distribution, subsidised cereal prices, cash transfers) in order to increase food availability and improve access to food. Food commodities prices have been volatile throughout 2019-20 requiring close monitoring.