Consumption of cereal products: Increase in the price of corn in Beninese markets

2023-09-21 11:03:29

In August 2023, grain prices in Benin generally saw slight increases compared to the previous month despite harvests in places. The price of corn per kilogram saw increases of 22% and 33%, respectively year-on-year and compared to the average of the last five years, according to the Monthly Bulletin of the Information System on Agricultural Markets of the Technical Cell of Monitoring and Support for Food Security Management (CT/SAGSA).
Abdul Wahab ADO
In August 2023, corn was sold on average at 251 FCFA per kilogram, indicating increases of 22% and 33%, respectively year-on-year and compared to the average of the last five years. This situation would result from the increase observed in transport costs following the announcement of the removal of the fuel subsidy in Nigeria, according to the Monthly Bulletin of the Information System on Agricultural Markets of the Technical Monitoring and Monitoring Unit. ‘Support for Food Security Management (CT/SAGSA).
The monthly bulletin published by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries also indicates that the moisture content of the new corn does not yet facilitate sufficient marketing in the southern zone to bend the price curve. As a result, corn still remains expensive. From the analysis of the evolution of the price of corn, it appears that consecutive price increases have been observed since May 2023. Thus, in August 2023, due to the food shortage mainly in the North of the country, the price corn saw an increase of 5% compared to the past month. Depending on the typology of the markets, an increase in prices is noted on producers’ markets (+7%), group markets (+3%) and border markets (+15%), compared to the previous month. However, prices experienced slight declines in consumer markets (-3%). In August 2023, unlike previous months, no municipality recorded low corn prices (100 to 150 FCFA/Kg). The best prices (150 to 200 FCFA/Kg) were recorded in the Commune of Sakété, Kétou, Aplahoué, Dogbo, Toffo, Pobè, Ouinhi and Porto-Novo. However, “the highest prices (250 to 330 FCFA) were noted in the markets of most municipalities,” specifies the Technical Unit for Monitoring and Support for Food Security Management (CT/SAGSA).
General increase in cereal prices in Benin
In short, according to the Monthly Bulletin of the Agricultural Market Information System of the Technical Cell for Monitoring and Support for Food Security Management (CT/SAGSA) in August 2023, cereal prices in Benin have generally experienced slight increases compared to last month despite harvests in places. This situation would be linked on the one hand, to the food shortage affecting in particular the northern part of the country and on the other hand, to the massive non-marketing of crops due to lack of adequate drying linked to the continuation of the rains during the short dry season. South. Contrary to this situation, at the international level, the prices of agricultural products (notably those of cereals) have fallen. With regard to market garden products, a strengthening of the supply of certain vegetables (in this case tomatoes) has favored a decline in prices, compared to July 2023. The same is true for tubers. In terms of legumes, prices generally saw a slight rise, month-on-month, following the reduction in their offerings, apart from soybeans.

QA September 21, 2023