However, the overall trend has been upward, with prices climbing from 117.6 points in January to 127.0 in December, marking a 6.7% increase over the year. Key drivers of this price surge included meat, dairy, and food oils. Despite the slight annual dip, the FAO warns that global food prices remain highly volatile.
Economic expert Patrick Muinde emphasises the urgency for both governments and international bodies to adopt strategies to stabilise food prices, protecting both consumers and farmers from this unpredictability. "Food prices are a major challenge for African consumers, as food is a basic necessity. Governments are under pressure to ensure affordability for consumers while also supporting farmers’ livelihoods," Muinde said.
He pointed out that there is a delicate balance between ensuring low prices for consumers and improving farm profitability. Small-scale farming is particularly vulnerable to high production costs, with rising input prices such as fertilisers and pesticides increasing the cost of food. "Governments can play a crucial role in addressing this by reducing taxes on farm inputs and products," Muinde added. "This could help make food more affordable at retail outlets and increase farmers' profits."
Another significant factor driving high food prices is transport costs. Poor infrastructure and trade barriers within African countries contribute to expensive transportation, both domestically and across borders. Muinde noted that while regions like the European Union have successfully streamlined transport and reduced trade restrictions, Africa still struggles with inadequate connectivity.
In addition to infrastructure issues, post-harvest handling inefficiencies are also a major concern. Many African farmers lose a significant portion of their produce between harvest and market due to poor storage and transportation systems.
Experts also stress the importance of infrastructure development and targeted policies to reduce costs and support both farmers and consumers across Africa.
--ChannelAfrica--
