The increase was caused by the continued depreciation of the Gourde against the dollar, increased insecurity limiting market supplies, the rise and persistence of scarcity and soaring fuel prices, as well as a poor performance of the winter agricultural campaign.

Markets such as Port-au-Prince, Jacmel, Port-de-Paix, Ouanaminthe and Cap-Haitien have been hardest hit by the outbreak. This is due to an increase in the price of all the products that make up the basket, including wheat flour, local and imported maize, local rice and vegetable oil. The increase in the value of the basket on a monthly basis is observed particularly in the markets of Port-au-Prince (+6%), Gonaïves (+4%), Hinche (+4%) and Jacmel (+4%). %). Year-on-year, the increase is observed in all markets (+74%)

The basket considered in the context of this analysis is made up of 6 basic products (rice, wheat flour, maize, beans, sugar and vegetable oil) which represent 1870 kilocalories consumed per person per day. It is made up in such a way that 100% of calorie consumption comes from these six food products, this because of the lack of information for other products, in particular fruits, vegetables, roots and tubers. The analysis of the basket makes it possible to follow the access of households to the basic basket in time and space. It does not constitute a nutritional basket. This basket mainly reflects the food consumption of poor low-income households.

The average nominal cost of the food basket in April 2023 was around 5,570 Gourdes per person per month, or 27,850 Gourdes for a family of 5 people, respectively an increase of 2% monthly and an increase of 74% year-on-year.

According to the SPHERES standard stipulating a minimum calorie intake of 2,100 kcal, the average nominal cost of the food basket in April 2023 is 6,255 Gourdes per month, or 31,275 gourdes for a family of 5 people.

The increase in the cost of the basket, both annual and monthly, results from the continued depreciation of the gourde against the US dollar and the Dominican peso since the products most consumed by households are imported. It is also explained by the growing insecurity which limits the supply of markets, the residual effects of the rise in fuel prices and its persistent scarcity as well as the poor performance of the winter season. Added to this is the depletion of stocks due to the lean season.

At the international level, average rice prices fell by 1% month-on-month and increased by 16% year-on-year. Corn prices on a monthly basis increased by 2% and fell on an annual basis by 16%. Wheat prices increased monthly by 2% and decreased by 25% compared to April 2022.

The food security situation in Haiti continues to be of concern. According to the latest update of the IPC analysis https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-39664-haiti-flash-18-million-haitians-on-the-verge-of-starvation.html , 18% of the population analyzed (1,807,955 people) are classified in IPC phase 4 (Emergency) and 31% (3,082,278 people) in IPC phase 3 (Crisis); i.e. 4.9 M people in need of urgent action.

HL/ HaitiLibre