In March and April 2024, prices of coarse grains rose or remained stable in many countries of the Sahel and along the Gulf of Guinea. In several countries of the subregion, prices of coarse grains remained higher year-on-year.

In Mali, wholesale prices of both sorghum and millet remained stable in April in most markets, but registered increases in few others. Wholesale prices of sorghum and millet were near or below their year‑earlier values. In Burkina Faso, wholesale prices of both millet and sorghum were stable or rose in April. Prices of millet were generally near or below their levels a year earlier, while prices of sorghum were near or above their year-earlier values, mainly reflecting adequate domestic availability of cereals due to a slightly above-average cereal harvest in 2023 as well as the delivery of humanitarian assistance for internally displaced persons and host populations. In the Niger, wholesale prices of millet and sorghum recorded increases in most markets in April, when they were up to 31 and 42 percent, respectively, higher than a year earlier. The lingering effects of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) sanctions, which were lifted in February 2024, as well as reduced cereal output in 2023 and strong demand, kept prices above their year-earlier levels. In Chad, retail prices of sorghum and millet followed mixed trends in March, while prices of maize increased. In most markets, prices of coarse grains were near or below their levels of a year earlier. However, few market prices were higher on a yearly basis mostly supported by cereal production shortfalls, high transport costs due to elevated fuel prices, reduced cereal imports from the Sudan and Libya, and strong local demand.

In Senegal, the national average retail prices of millet and sorghum registered month-on-month declines in March, while the national average price of maize remained stable. The prices of coarse grains were below their elevated year-earlier levels, supported by the increase in 2023 cereal production, estimated at an above‑average level. In Benin, retail prices of maize rose for the second consecutive month in March, while prices of sorghum registered declines for the fourth consecutive month. Prices of both maize and sorghum were generally above their year-earlier levels, mostly reflecting low supply due to reduced yields in localized areas, informal exports, mainly to Nigeria, strong demand for animal feed, and activities of speculators. In Nigeria, wholesale prices of sorghum and millet recorded increases for the third consecutive month in March, while prices of maize rose for the fourth consecutive month. Prices of coarse grains were more than double their year-earlier levels in March. Similarly, wholesale prices of local and imported rice rose further in March and were about twice as high as a year ago. The high cereal prices were supported by below-average cereal production in 2023, high input and transport costs, a weak currency and strong local demand. Furthermore, conflict-related market disruptions are a factor underpinning the high cereal prices.