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Zimbabwe + 12 more

Southern Africa Monthly Food Price Update - October 2018

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Highlights

In the southern African region, maize prices continue to show mixed trends. In countries such as Malawi and South Africa, national average maize prices have been on an upward trend, while in others, such as Tanzania and Zambia, they have remained relatively stable. In Zambia, however, this belies price increases in pockets of areas which experienced a poor harvest. A look at the Alert for Price Spikes (ALPS) shows more markets in Zambia experiencing stress earlier this year.

Nearly all currencies in the region depreciated vis-à-vis the USD on a month-on-month and year-on-year basis. This will likely increase the cost of importing goods and services, including food.

Recent developments in Zimbabwe are also a cause for concern; an interplay of factors, including a tax hike on electronic transactions, has triggered panic buying and shortage of basic goods and skyrocketing prices are being reported. The situation is volatile and close real-time monitoring of prices and market functionality will be required.