Highlights:

• In Central America, the El Niño phenomenon is generally associated with below-average rains and prolonged dry spells.
• The 2019 January-March dry season in the subregion was drier than usual due to the presence of El Niño, which affected production of the 2018 third season maize crop in Guatemala.
• There is a high likelihood that the El Niño phenomenon could persist in the May-July period, which coincides with the planting and development stages of the main season maize crop and continue until the end of the year.
• If dry conditions adversely impact the 2019 main maize output, prices of white maize, which are already at high levels, could increase further, constraining food access for vulnerable households.
• In several countries, governments are already implementing preventive measures to mitigate the impact of dry weather conditions and to increase farmers’ resilience, especially in the “Dry Corridor.