GIEWS

This web site contains latest information and analysis on domestic prices of basic foods mainly in developing countries, complementing FAO analysis on international markets. It provides early warning on high food prices at country level  that may negatively affect food security. All data used in the analysis can be found in the FPMA Tool.

  • Global - Disruptions to food supply chains and stronger demand triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic continued to underpin food price increases in April in several countries
  • International - Export prices of maize plummeted on account of large global supplies and weaker demand for biofuel and animal feed
  • International - Export prices of rice increased following temporary export restrictions and logistical bottlenecks in some exporting countries
  • South Sudan,Sudan - Upward pressure on food prices from difficult macro-economic conditions and tight supplies exacerbated by market disruptions related to the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Southern Africa - The start of the main harvest led to seasonal declines in maize prices but reduced crops last year kept them higher year on year
  • Global - An upsurge in food demand and disruptions to supply chains triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic underpinned food price increases in several countries in the second half of March

Domestic Price Warnings

Countries where prices of one or more basic food commodity are at abnormal high levels in main markets (identified by the Indicator of Price Anomalies), which could negatively impact access to food at national level

Price warning level:  High   Moderate  [Based on GIEWS analysis]

Food Policy and Market Developments

Cambodia lifts export ban on rice
18/05/2020 - 
On 15 May 2020, the Government announced that from 20 May, the ban on exports of white and paddy rice would be lifted. The ban was imposed on 5 April [...]
National policy responses to limit the impact of COVID-19 on food markets – update
12/05/2020 - 
West Africa • Chad, on 24 April 2020, exempted from import custom duties basic food products, including maize, rice, millet, sorghum and wheat. The exemption will be valid until December [...]
Morocco extends wheat import duty suspension
08/05/2020 - 
On 7 May 2020, the Government approved the extension of the 35 percent import duty exemption on soft wheat until 31 December 2020. This follows a previous extension, approved on [...]
Viet Nam lifts rice export restrictions
30/04/2020 - 
On 28 April 2020, the Government ordered the lifting of rice export restrictions and the full resumption of exports from 1 May 2020. Signing of new rice export contracts was [...]
CIS countries facilitate commodity imports
24/04/2020 - 
A number of countries in the subregion implemented measures to temporarily remove or ease import restrictions. In the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) countries, as of 18 April 2020, the exemption [...]
Colombia set duty-free imports for maize, sorghum and soybeans
24/04/2020 - 
On 9 April 2020, the Government eliminated with immediate effect its import tariffs on maize, sorghum and soybeans until 30 June 2020, with the possibility of an additional three-month extension. [...]
El Salvador and Honduras take measures to ensure supplies of staple foods amid COVID-19 pandemic
24/04/2020 - 
In late March 2020, the Government of El Salvador purchased around 50 000 tonnes of white maize, 7 000 tonnes of rice and 5 000 tonnes of beans to boost [...]
Sri Lanka fixes maximum retail prices for rice
14/04/2020 - 
On 10 April 2020, the State-run Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) announced the new Maximum Retail Prices (MRP) for rice that entered into force with immediate effect. MRPs are set by [...]
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