BENIN SEASONSAL FOOD SECURITY OUTLOOOK

UNCLAS COTONOU 000076


DEPT FOR AF/WA
DEPT PLEASE PASS TO USAID FOR FFP
AID DAKAR FOR FFP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR EAID ECON PGOV WFP BN NG TO
SUBJECT: BENIN SEASONSAL FOOD SECURITY OUTLOOOK


1. (U) From February 15 to 20, a joint evaluation team from FEW
Net, Benin's National Food Security Agency (ONASA),the World Food
Program (WFP),and the Interstates Commission to Fight Against
Desertification (CILSS) conducted a comprehensive assessment of the
seasonal food security, market and trade situation in Benin. The
assessment team does not foresee a food crisis in Benin in the near
future. Ibrahim Laouali, Regional Markets Advisor and member of the
CILSS delegation, briefed USAID on Thursday, February 19, on the
findings of the study.


2. (U) According to Laouali, crops production in Benin was
generally satisfactory in 2008 because of good rains. Because of the
high prices of food crops, many farmers decided to switch from
planting cotton to cultivating food crops, which is more lucrative.
Despite satisfactory yields, prices of major food crops such as
corn, sorghum, rice and yam are still slightly above the normal
prices compared to historical averages for this time of the year.
The evaluation team agreed that the slightly higher prices do not
constitute a red flag.


3. (U) The assessment team also found that production could have
been much higher if the Government of Benin (GOB) had made inputs,
especially fertilizers, more widely available at planting time.
The team recommended that the GOB take measures to stabilize prices
at their current levels to ensure that food stocks are not quickly
depleted by foreign buyers. If prices are too high the local
population will not be able to purchase food. If, on the other
hand, prices are too low, wholesalers will refrain from selling
their stocks for fear of financial losses.

BROWN