According to the 2009-2010 CFSVA, 7.8 per cent of household in Congo are food insecure.
In 2012, drought in the main cropping areas led to a much below average harvest; furthermore, the hike in food prices resulted in reduced purchasing power of vulnerable households and limited the access to basic food items in the market. There are quite a number of foreign agricultural firms in Congo; however their production levels in the first half of 2012 has been below average due to the effects of drought. The significant decrease in agricultural production registered this year follows the three last year declining trend (-45.7 per cent for cassava; -61.2 per cent for corn; -49.7 per cent for peanuts compared to 2010). The reduction in the number of meals per day has been the most frequent coping mechanism adopted by vulnerable households.
With the possible delay in the start of the current rainy season, production prospects remain uncertain.
October 2012