Prices of coarse grains remained stable or registered seasonal increases in April and May 2024 in countries of the Sahel and along the Gulf of Guinea. In some countries of the subregion, prices of coarse grains remained higher on a yearly basis.

In Mali, wholesale prices of both sorghum and millet remained stable or rose in May 2024. Significant month-on-month increases were recorded in conflict-affected areas, where the functioning of markets has been severely disrupted. In the market of Gao, the price of sorghum rose by 17 percent and in the market of Tombouctou, a 25 percent increase in the price of millet was registered. However, in all monitored markets, prices of sorghum and millet were near or below their year-earlier levels in May. In Burkina Faso, wholesale prices of millet were stable or registered increases, while prices of sorghum followed mixed trends in May. Prices of millet and sorghum were near their year-earlier values in many markets, mainly reflecting a generally adequate market availability of cereals, supported by the delivery of humanitarian assistance for internally displaced persons and host populations, as well as the sale of subsidized cereals by the government. In the Niger, wholesale prices of millet and sorghum rose in May and 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 at high year-on-year levels. Prices of millet and sorghum were up to 44 and 48 percent, respectively, higher on a yearly basis in May. In Chad, retail prices of sorghum and maize remained stable or recorded increases in April 2024, while prices of millet rose across the country. In many markets, prices of coarse grains were near their year-earlier values, however, in few markets, prices were higher on a yearly basis, mostly reflecting low supply due to cereal production shortfalls, high transport costs and reduced cereal imports, coupled with strong local demand.

In Senegal, the national average retail price of sorghum decreased in April 2024, while the price of maize was stable and the price of millet recorded an increase. Prices of coarse grains were lower on a yearly basis, supported by the 2023 above-average cereal harvest. In Benin, retail prices of sorghum remained stable or increased and prices of maize rose for the third consecutive month in April. Prices of both sorghum and maize were at elevated levels, although prices of maize, in particular, reached high levels compared to a year earlier, being between 36 and 69 percent higher year-on-year in monitored markets, reflecting substantial exports to neighbouring countries, strong local demand for animal feed and activities of speculators. In Togo, retail prices of sorghum remained stable, while prices of maize were stable or rose in April. Prices of both sorghum and maize were near their year-earlier values across the country. In Nigeria, wholesale prices of millet were stable or recorded increases in April, while prices of sorghum and maize showed mixed trends. Prices of coarse grains remained more than twice as high as a year ago. Wholesale prices of local rice increased further in most markets, while prices of imported rice registered declines and prices of both local and imported rice were about double their levels of a year earlier. The high cereal prices were supported by a weak currency, conflict-related market disruptions and high transport costs. Furthermore, strong local demand, combined with a reluctance of traders and farmers to release stocks due to unfavourable rainfall conditions in some areas at the start of the 2024 rainy season, contributed to the high cereal prices.