Food Prices Continue to Fluctuate

A recent report from the Food Security Monitor has highlighted the ongoing instability of food prices across Ghana and the broader West African region, driven by a mix of insecurity, armed conflicts, and various macroeconomic challenges. This volatility is compounded by seasonal factors, particularly the early onset of the lean season in many countries. These seasonal dynamics further strain the region’s food security, making it increasingly difficult for households to access affordable and sufficient food.

The report, which is part of the 54th edition of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) Food Security Monitor, points to a significant rise in maize prices in Nigeria. From 2024 to 2025, the price of maize increased by 11.52% month-on-month, reaching $426 per metric tonne. In contrast, Ghana and Togo have seen relatively stable prices for maize, with increases of just 0-3.88%. Rice prices also varied across the region, with Ghana recording the highest price at $1,099 per metric tonne, followed by Côte d’Ivoire at $999 per metric tonne. However, in local currencies, the price trends showed stability or even slight declines over the past month.

The report underscores the role of insecurity and conflict in exacerbating food price fluctuations. For instance, in northern Nigeria, ongoing conflict is expected to result in reduced crop yields, while in Burkina Faso, delayed rains initially hindered planting but were followed by favorable rainfall, allowing for successful replanting and crop growth. These disruptions not only affect local food supplies but also contribute to the wider regional volatility in prices.

In addition to conflict-related challenges, macroeconomic difficulties such as high inflation, depreciating local currencies, and rising fuel prices are also driving up food prices in certain West African countries. The rising cost of fuel impacts transportation and production costs, further contributing to the overall price hikes across the region.

The report also examines food insecurity, revealing that the number of people facing insufficient food consumption across seven selected West African nations decreased by 3.3 million, from 161.6 million in November 2024 to 158.3 million in January 2025. Despite this reduction, food insecurity remains high, with the number of people in need still far exceeding the figures from January 2024 (148.5 million) and January 2023 (116.9 million). Notably, countries like Mali experienced no change in their food insecurity levels, while Niger saw a slight decrease of 2.73%.

Regarding agricultural production, the report noted that the 2024/25 cereal harvest is nearly complete, with expected yields being close to average, despite the region’s erratic rainfall patterns. However, conflict-prone areas like northern Nigeria and northern Ghana are anticipated to see yield declines due to ongoing violence and instability. This creates significant risks for food availability in these regions, further exacerbating local food security challenges.

The report emphasizes the importance of addressing the underlying causes of food insecurity, including conflict, macroeconomic instability, and climate-related shocks. It stresses that regional governments must prioritize sustainable agricultural practices, improve market access, and enhance social protection programs to mitigate the impact of these challenges on food security and prices.

In Ghana, the report highlights a steep increase in food inflation, which rose by 28.30% in January 2025 compared to the same month in 2024. The overall Consumer Price Index (CPI) also saw a rise, reaching 252.60 points in January 2025, up from 248.30 points in December 2024. These statistics reflect the substantial increase in the cost of food over the past year, which continues to place a significant strain on households across the country.

The report also points out that food insecurity is a widespread issue across much of Africa, with 17 countries in Eastern, Southern, and Western Africa facing high levels of insufficient food consumption. In particular, over 9.5 million people in Kenya, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda are currently experiencing severe food crises.

Within West Africa, the volatility of maize prices is a key concern. While some countries, like Ethiopia and Tanzania, have seen lower prices due to bumper harvests, others, such as Rwanda and South Sudan, have seen significant increases. In Ghana, for example, maize prices rose by 3.88% over the past month due to prolonged dry weather in the northern regions.

Weather patterns, particularly heavy rains and flooding, have also had an adverse impact on crop yields in certain regions. Some areas have experienced poor early yields due to these conditions, while regions like southern Oromia are facing dry spells that are expected to further reduce crop production. In Southern Africa, the number of people facing food shortages has decreased slightly, from 22.8 million in November 2024 to 22.2 million in January 2025. However, food insecurity remains higher than it was in January 2024 and 2023, underscoring the ongoing challenges in the region.

The report highlights the persistent volatility of food prices and the severe food insecurity affecting millions of people across West Africa and beyond. It calls for urgent action by governments to address the root causes of these issues, including insecurity, economic instability, and climate change, to ensure food security for the region’s population.