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Port-au-Prince, Sept 2024 – The cost of staple food items in Haiti has continued to rise sharply, according to the latest Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) report, with prices for imported rice, maize meal, and black beans significantly higher than last year and the five-year average.
The report, released in September 2024, outlines the persistent upward trend in food prices across key markets, including Port-au-Prince, Jacmel, and Cap-Haitien. This comes amid ongoing political instability, economic challenges, and disruptions to supply chains, which have heightened food insecurity for many households.
Imported rice, which accounts for around 80% of Haiti’s total rice consumption, remains a key concern. In Port-au-Prince’s Croix-de-Bossales market, the nominal retail price of rice per 6-pound unit has surged compared to both the previous year and the five-year average (2019-2023). Similar increases have been recorded in markets across Cap-Haitien and Jacmel.
The price of maize meal, another essential food product for many low-income families, has followed a similar pattern. FEWS NET’s data shows significant price hikes in Hinche, Jeremie, and Cap-Haitien throughout the year.
Black beans, a staple protein source in Haiti, also saw substantial price increases. The report shows that the price of black beans in Port-au-Prince, Hinche, and Jacmel remains well above historical averages, posing additional challenges to food affordability.
Haiti’s heavy reliance on food imports—especially for rice, maize, and beans—has made the country particularly vulnerable to international price fluctuations and the depreciation of the local currency. Combined with internal challenges, such as political unrest and supply chain interruptions, the rising costs have placed significant pressure on Haitian households.
Additionally, the price of imported refined vegetable oil, another essential commodity, has more than doubled in several markets, including Port-au-Prince and Jeremie, further exacerbating the strain on consumers.
The report highlights regional disparities in market conditions. While Port-au-Prince remains the largest and most influential market, more remote areas like Jeremie and Jacmel face even greater food access challenges. These regions, which are prone to natural disasters like cyclones, also have some of the highest rates of malnutrition in the country.
As Haiti continues to grapple with a combination of political instability, economic difficulties, and supply chain issues, food insecurity remains a critical concern. FEWS NET warns that without international assistance and efforts to stabilize the market, the situation could worsen, pushing more households into crisis.
Source
The report was produced by FEWS NET, a USAID-funded initiative that monitors food security trends in vulnerable regions. The market data was gathered in collaboration with Haiti’s National Coordination for Food Security (CNSA).
