World Food Programme Fighting Hunger Worldwide

A maize trader in Moamba market, southern Mozambique...Food prices are a major issue in this country - high prices caused civil unrest in 2010/2011. Each year, Mozambique experiences a 500 metric ton deficit of maize, causing maize prices to spike on a seasonal basis.

Despite positive economic growth, Mozambique still suffers from distinctive patterns of income inequality, something that is reflected in the chronic malnourishment and infant mortality data. High food prices and inadequate food access remain major challenges in rural communities.

Beans are a common and affordable source of dietary fiber, minerals and protein in rural communities. When the price of beans increases during the lean season, families often struggle to provide a complete meal full of the necessary dietary attributes required for growth and sustenance

On the look-out for customers...Higher food prices decrease demand for food as the ability of people to purchase commodities declines. This in turn reduces availability and those who can least afford to reduce caloric intake are usually the hardest hit.

There seems to be lots of food on sale in Maputo Central Market, the oldest covered market in the country. But the food security outlook for the first half of this year predicts prices may increase in the southern Zambezi basin and parts of south and central zones which have been affected by poor rainfall. This, coupled with the affects of cyclones Funso and Dando could place strain on vulnerable households.

Women shopping at Janat Market in Maputo...High food prices are a constant topic of conversation even if the causes are not always clear. One factor that is increasingly reflected in food prices, especially in countries such as Mozambique, is climate change which plays a significant role in under production.

WFP's food security programmes are designed to help improve food availability, access and utilization - also to reduce the vulnerability of individuals, households and communities to spikes in food prices

WFP works with farmers organisations and supply-side partners such as IKURU in Mozambique to ensure greater availability of quality produce at reasonable prices.