East Africa (Remote Monitoring) > Burundi

Statement Archive

Date	Statement	Full PDF Report
1 2 3 4
04/30/2013	Staple food prices remain atypically high throughout the country The season 'A' harvests (December to February) were below average due to an above-average prevalence of several plant diseases and poor rainfall performance. This, coupled with atypically high staple food prices, is limiting household food access. Poor households in most areas of Burundi will face Stressed (IPC Phase 2) acute food insecurity until the next harvests in June. Then between July and September, households will face Minimal (IPC Phase 1) food insecurity. Two areas of the country (the D�pressions de l'Est and the Plateaux Humides zones) will face Crisis (IPC Phase 3) acute food insecurity between April and the next harvest in late June. Several factors driving this food insecurity in these areas are: poor season 'A' harvests, crop diseases, above-average food prices, high concentration of returnees, and poor households' relatively high vulnerability to food security-related hazards.	PDF
03/28/2013	Unusually high staple food prices restrict food access The season 'A' harvests (December to February) were slightly below normal due to an above-average prevalence of several plant diseases and poor rainfall performance. However, most households are currently consuming their own crop production and will face Minimal/None (IPC Phase 1) acute food insecurity through June 2013. Several groups within the country (returnees, internally displaced people, and poor households living in the D�pressions de l'Est and the Hauts Plateaux Humides zones) will face Crisis (IPC Phase 3) acute food insecurity between now and the next harvest in late June. Several factors driving this food insecurity are: poor season 'A' harvests in localized areas, crop diseases, elevated food prices, and poor households' relatively high vulnerability to food security-related hazards. Most farmers have completed their planting activities on time for the agricultural season 'B' (February through May). These planting activities provided agricultural labor opportunities for poor households and improved seasonal income levels.	PDF
02/28/2013	Season 'A' harvests improve food availability and access for poor households Season 'A' harvests in Burundi are almost complete. Most households across the country are consuming their own food production and will face Minimal/None (IPC Phase 1) acute food insecurity outcomes through June 2013. However, returnees living in rural integrated villages, refugees living in camps, and poor households living in warm lowlands and hauts plateaux humides areas will be Stressed (IPC Phase 2) between March and the next harvests in late June. Due to the recent harvests, prices for maize and beans (two important food staples for poor households) have been stable or declining compared to December prices although they have remained 33-89 percent and 7-26 percent above the five-year average, respectively. The exception is Bujumbura were January prices for almost all commodities increased (3-9 percent) compared to December.	PDF
01/31/2013	Food availability and access improve as harvesting continues In most parts of the country, households will face Minimal/None (IPC Phase 1) acute food insecurity conditions through June 2013. However, returnees living in rural integrated villages, refugees living in camps, and poor households living in warm lowlands and hauts plateaux humides areas will be Stressed (IPC Phase 2) at times during the next six months. Season 'A' harvests are ongoing and are replenishing household food stocks. In the northwest and marshland areas of the southeast, heavy rains in October and an early end to the rainy season in December caused crop damage. In addition, crop diseases have been unusually prevalent this year, especially in the southeast. While official production figures have not yet been released, the combined effects of these three cropping hazards are expected to cause below-average season 'A' production at the national-level. As of December, the season 'A' harvests had not yet cause prices to decline. Compared to the previous month, December prices for both maize and beans were generally stable or increasing. Prices were also about 18 to 146 percent higher than the five-year average.	PDF
11/28/2012	Food availability and access constrained as the main lean season peaks The depletion of household food stocks has continued as the main lean season peaks. The proportion of households facing Stressed (IPC Phase 2) acute food insecurity will increase until the season 'A' harvests in late December-January. Crisis (IPC Phase 3) food insecurity is present in the D�pressions de l�Est, high humid mountainous zones (Buyenzi and Kilimiro), rural integrated villages, and refugee camps. After the harvests, most households will face Minimal (IPC Phase 1) acute food insecurity. High demand and low supply for staple foods have caused market prices to be 18-40 percent higher than last year. This has reduced food access for poor households who are market dependent at this time. Above-average October rains, especially in the northwest, have caused localized floods, waterlogging, increased soil erosion, and crop damage. The prevalence of crop diseases is also unusually high this year in southeastern regions of the country.	PDF
10/22/2012	Above-average prices and crop diseases reduce food availability and access The season 'B' harvests were poor in some areas, causing poor households to deplete their food stocks earlier than usual. These households will face Stressed (IPC Phase 2) food insecurity levels until the season 'A' harvests in late December-January. Crisis levels (IPC Phase 3) are present in the D�pressions de l�Est, the Hauts Plateaux Humides (Buyenzi and Kilimiro), rural integrated villages, and refugee camps. After the harvests, most households throughout the country will face Minimal acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 1). High demand and low supply for staple foods on most markets have caused prices to be 10-40 percent higher than last year. This has reduced food access for poor households who are dependent on market purchases at this time. The season 'A' rains were erratic in September, especially in the southeastern zones, which delayed planting activities. The prevalence of crop diseases has also been above-average in these areas. However, normal production levels are expected at this early point in the season, given current forecasts for normal rainfall for the remainder of the season.	PDF
09/24/2012	The onset of the rains is earlier than usual this year. Land preparation is ongoing in most parts of Burundi and some households have already planted. The normal planting period is between mid-September and mid-October. Maize is the main grain cultivated this season, predominantly in mid and high altitude zones. Due to the rains, pastures are currently regenerating. The poor performance of last season has caused poor households to run out of food stocks earlier than normal this year, and these households have become dependent on market purchases as their predominant source of food staples. This increased market demand, along with low market supply, has caused staple food prices at many markets to rise to levels well above last year and the 5-year average. The peak of the lean season will occur in November-December as usual, and most households will rely on market purchases until the first harvest in late December. Banana Xanthomonas wilt, cassava mosaic, and cassava brown streak are threatening crop production, especially in the South-Eastern regions, though there have been significant government efforts to address the problem. Seasonal progress to date: The main agricultural activities at this time of the year are focused on finalizing land preparation and sowing. Rains have started earlier than normal, and maize is the predominant crop grown during this season. The Greater Horn of Africa Climate Outlook Forum 32 weather forecast states that Burundi has a 45% probability of above-normal rainfall, 35% probability of near-normal rainfall, and 20% probability of below-normal rainfall during the September-December time period. Markets and trade: For many markets, maize, cassava flour, and sorghum prices are well above last year's levels. For example, the prices of these commodities at markets in Muyinga, Gitega, and Ruyigi have been 18-72% higher than prices at this time last year. The market supply of food, especially for bananas and cassava, has started decreasing due to the crop diseases mentioned above. For other staple commodities, demand is generally increasing due to household stock deficits. Traders are also reportedly stocking some commodities, such as maize and rice, in anticipation of higher prices towards the end of the year when the tax exemption will be lifted. Health and nutrition: The Tanzanian government has announced that the Mtabila camp, which currently houses approximately 36,000 refugees, will be closing at the end of the year. Preparations in Burundi are currently being made in terms of temporary housing, land, and food aid to assist households who may return to Burundi when the camp closes. Likely Trend: Food availability is declining, especially for poor households, and will be at its lowest levels in November. Farm labor opportunities will continue to be available until the harvests in December-January. Food prices are expected to continue to rise until the first harvests. Due to the rains, pasture and animal conditions are expected to improve, and milk prices will likely fall during the course of the season.
08/28/2012	Harvesting of Season B crops is completed countrywide, improving food availability across the country. Production is expected to be below average to average due to an early end to the season and flooding in some areas. During November to December, the typical lean season will occur and most households will rely on market purchase until the first harvest in late December. Pasture is expected to continue deteriorating up to early September, when season A rainfall is expected. Seasonal progress to date: The main agricultural activity at present is post-harvest handling. Due to the early end of the season and above-average rains in some areas, harvests are below average in the livelihood zones of Hauts plateaux Humides, D�pressions de l�Est, Villages ruraux integer�s and Bujumbura rural. A slight increase in production is reported in Imbo Zone and D�pressions du Nord, particularly for beans, sweet potato, and maize. Overall, the season B harvest is expected to be below-average to average. Marshland cultivation for Season C (June to September), which accounts for 15 percent of annual production, has begun in some areas. Cultivation for the 2013 A season, which starts between September and October, has not yet started. Income opportunities: Apart from a small number of people employed in harvesting activities, the current income generation activities include labor for season C marshland farming and construction labor in urban settings. Wages for construction and casual farm labor are reportedly at normal levels. Markets and trade: There is a slight decline in food prices generally across the country. Traders are reportedly stocking some commodities like maize and rice in anticipation of higher prices towards the end of the year when the tax exemption will end (reportedly in December 2012). On May 1, 2012, the government lifted taxes of food items imported from the East African Community (EAC) states. Civil society organizations in Burundi have called for a boycott of beer made by the Burundi Brewery Company (BRARUDI) to protest the high cost of living and to force the government to reduce beer prices. The recent increase in beer prices has the potential to cause traders to increase the prices of other commodities, including food staples. Health: 342 IDP households were evacuated from Sabe (Ngagara District) to Muramvya site. These households reportedly face difficulties accessing shelter, income earning opportunities, and clean water and sanitation. Security: The youth group (Imbonerakure) from the ruling party is reportedly responsible for scattered violence in the country, and experts have called for government intervention.
07/31/2012	Seasonal progress to date: Rains ended early in mid May and since then the country has been dry. The main agricultural activity is now harvesting, which is almost complete across all livelihood zones. It is being reported that due to the early end of the season and above-average rain which caused floods in farms close to big rivers, harvests are below average in the livelihood zones of Hauts plateaux Humides, D�pressions de l�Est, Villages ruraux integer�s and Bujumbura rural. A slight increase in production is reported in Imbo Zone and D�pressions du Nord. Beans, Sweet potato, and Maize are the crops which have been most negatively affected. Overall, the season B harvest, which accounts for ~50 percent of national production, is expected to be below-average to average. Food availability: Currently, most households are relying on own production of beans, peas, sweet potato, and cassava from season B harvest, complemented by some market purchases. Income opportunities: Apart from a small number of people employed in harvesting activities, the current income generation activities include land preparation labor for season C marshland farming fand construction labor in urban settings. Labor wages for construction range between 1500-2000 FBU for assistant mason, casual farm labor wage is around 1000 FBU per day. Markets and trade: Even if food commodities have been exempt from taxes since mid May, prices for Maize and Cassava flour are still above average while there is a decline in bean, sweet potato, and banana prices in general. Traders are reportedly stocking some commodities like maize and rice in anticipation of higher prices towards the end of the year when the tax exemption will be lifted. The government protectionism policy on staple crops is impacting on mandarin orange sellers who report having lost huge income due to export ban to Rwanda. Health and nutrition: Generally, the situation is improving as harvests are available. However, more than 300 returnee households settled in Gateri site of Cibitoke province are not receiving adequate assistance. It was reported that around 37,748 refugees settled in Tanzania will return by December 2012, yet conditions of existing returnees are not improving. Likely Trend: Following harvests, food availability will continue to improve until October. From November to December, the lean season will occur and most households will rely on market purchase until the first harvest in late December. Pasture is expected to continue deteriorating up to early September when season A rainfall is expected. Milk prices will likely rise during that period and animal condition will normally worsen. Civil insecurity: Rebel attacks were reported in Rugazi District on June 22nd, 2012.
06/21/2012	Seasonal progress to date: Season B rainfall (February-June) is nearly over. The season started late, and heavy rains in April and May damaged crops, particularly beans, in some parts of the country, especially valley areas. Waterborne field diseases, including anthracnosis, due to the heavy rains have been observed. In most parts of the country, rains ended early, raising concerns for the development of maize, which is at the grain filling phase (other crops are mostly at the late maturity phase). A below-average maize and beans harvest is expected, though an average cassava harvest is expected. (June 2012) Food availability: Currently, most households are relying on green consumption of green beans, some stocks from the previous season, and food purchases. Harvests will come in late June-early July, which will supply mostly beans, maize, sweet potato, and irish potatoes. (June 2012) Income opportunities: Current income generation activities include marshland farming for season C and construction. Farm activities, on which most poor households depend, have declined in line with seasonal trends, compared to the land preparation and weeding stages in previous months. (June 2012) Markets and trade: Food prices have generally been increasing, despite the temporary tax exemption on imported food commodities as of May 15, 2012. In the markets of Muzinda, Mugina, Musigate, Muhuta, Buyengero, and Rubenza, commodity prices are above-average as main season harvesting has not yet taken place. The tax exemption has favored slight price declines for some commodities, though prices for beans and cassava, staple foods for the poor, remain high. Rice, an important food commodity for urban households, is exempt from taxes, and the price shifted from 2500 in May 2012 to 2200 FBU/kg in June 2012. Traders are reportedly stocking some commodities in anticipation of higher prices toward the end of the year when the tax exemption will be lifted. (June 2012)

Number of results per page:

The information provided on this Web site is not official U.S. Government information and does not represent the views or positions of the U.S. Agency for International Development or the U.S. Government.