(2025-01) WFP VAM Market Monitoring, January 2025: Haiti

WFP VAM | Food Security Analysis HAITI | January 2025 Key Points  Overall stability of the cost of the national food basket : with a slight increase of around 113 gourdes (+0.4%) compared to December 2024, rising from 25,190 to 25,303 gourdes.  Regional trends: An increased in the cost of food basket observed in the Centre (+8%), Artibonite (+7%), South-East (+6%), and Nippes (+5%) departments.  Metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince: The cost of the food basket rose slightly by 1% compared to December, increasing from 25,073 to 27,335 gourdes, but IS still higher than the national average (by over 2,000 gourdes).  Price stability: Generally stable food prices, with the exception of maize, which rose in almost all departments.  Product availability: Food availability was generally good, but persistent shortages of beans were noted, despite a 3% price increase in the price of red beans. December 2024 | Haiti - Market Monitoring January 2025 | Haiti - Market Monitoring 1 AVAILABILITY The food supply in Haitian markets was generally satisfactory during January. Most food items were readily available, suggesting adequate stock levels. However, some traders did experience occasional difficulties in replenishing their supplies. These challenges stemmed from a combination of financial constraints, high demand depleting existing stocks, and logistical problems hindering the smooth flow of goods. Despite these temporary stockouts reported by some market participants, the overall food supply chain remained stable and was not significantly disrupted. This positive trend in food availability continued from De- Source: WFP, 2025 cember, which saw slightly lower prices due to consistent market supply PRICE TRENDS FOR STAPLE FOODS The prices of essential goods in Haiti remained relatively stable or even slightly decreased in January, similar to the trend observed in December. However, there was one exception: the price of red beans increased by 3%, which can likely be attributed to the seasonal nature of red beans. The overall price stability is probably due to the adequate availability of goods in the markets, largely thanks to im- Source: WFP, 2025 ports . Despite this general stability, there were some notable price increases for specific items in certain regions. The price of rice, a staple food in Haiti, went up, particularly in the Nord-Ouest department (33%) and the Sud department (5%). Additionally, the price of Maize saw significant increases in several departments: Sud-Est (50%), Centre (40%), Nord-Ouest (25%), and Nippes (22%). Average food prices per kilogram by department (in Haitian gourdes) January 2025 | Haiti - Market Monitoring Price trends for products monitored over the year FOOD BASKET COST TREND The analysis of the cost of the food basket shows a mixed trend in recent months. After a decrease of around 5% in December compared to November, the average cost of the basket recorded a slight increase of 0.4% in January 2025, reaching 25,303 gourdes, while remaining 10% lower than in the previous year. The trend is similar in the metropolitan area, where the median cost rose slightly in January after falling in December. However, the cost of the food basket in this area remains more than 2 000 gourdes higher than the national average. Furthermore, an increase in the price of maize meal was observed in all municipalities of the agglomeration in January. At departmental level, prices rose significantly in the Centre (+8%), Artibonite (+7%), South-East (+6%) and Nippes (+5%) departments, while they fell in the other departments. In December, a significant increase in the price of the basket was recorded in Grand'Anse (+23%) compared with November. Finally, a survey on the functioning of the market carried out in December 2024 confirmed this price increase in certain communes of this department. Variation in the Cost of the Food Basket (National and ZM PAP) December 2024 | Haiti - Market Monitoring January 2025 | Haiti - Market Monitoring 3 Graph 1 : Monthly Variation of the Food Basket Cost Graph 2 : Annual Variation of the Food Basket Cost December January 2025 2024 | | Haiti Haiti - Market Market Monitoring Monitoring 4 Methodology The methodology used is the same as that of the Joint Market Monitoring Initiative (JMMI), for reasons of harmonisation with the system used by other actors in the Cash Transfer Working Group (GTTM). • Data is collected through face-to-face interviews with 05 traders per product in the market. In total, 502 traders from 58 markets were interviewed. • 10 divisions were covered by the data collection, with a focus on the metropolitan area. A minimum of four (4) markets per department were selected due to their importance. Selection of products and observation units The selection of food products that make up the food basket is based on the Minimum Expenditure Basket (MEB). It includes seven (7) basic products that make up the ICSM basket, taking into account the energy requirements of a household of five (5) persons (energy requirement of 2100 kcal). • Wheat flour (30 kg); Rice (20 kg); Maize (10 kg); Sugar (3 kg); Black beans (10 kg); Red beans Data are collected monthly. Tools : Mobile Operational Data Acquisition) - WFP Data Collection Platform Limites et difficultés The lack of availability of certain traders, particularly wholesalers during periods of high demand, or of certain products in certain markets, due to the security situation, may have hampered the achievement of the planned coverage in certain areas and therefore might affect the accuracy of the estimates. PAM | Haïti Wanja KAARIA, Country Director Erwan RUMEN , Deputy Country Director Technical Team: Smaila GNEGNE, Head of RAM unit Wilfried CHIGBLO, VAM officer Kendy MASSENA, VAM Associate Contact : smaila.gnegne@wfp.org @WFP_Haiti December January 2025 2024 | | Haiti Haiti - Market Market Monitoring Monitoring 5