Africa’s food prices are splitting sharply as conflict and fuel costs disrupt markets

Food prices in Africa are experiencing varied trends due to conflict, fuel costs, and supply disruptions. The Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) reported steep increases in staple food prices in Sudan, Uganda, and Burundi in September 2026, while parts of Somalia and South Sudan saw price reductions. Kenya's maize prices remained stable.

This disparity highlights that a single description of Africa's food-price situation can be misleading, as household food budgets are heavily influenced by location, dietary reliance, and market supply affordability. In Sudan, sorghum, millet, and wheat flour prices rose by 16-41% in September compared to August, and prices were between 65-223% higher than their five-year averages.

FEWS NET attributed these increases to conflict-related supply disruptions, higher demand, currency depreciation, and rising transport costs. Uganda also witnessed broad increases in staple food prices, with maize, beans, sorghum, cassava, and cooking bananas rising by 12-20% over two consecutive months. Burundi experienced a 27% increase in bean prices due to below-average harvests and delayed short rains.

Kenya's maize prices remained stable, but they were still 14% higher than a year earlier and 18% above the five-year average. Despite these fluctuations, the report emphasizes that market prices do not fully capture the financial burden on households, as it only measures market prices and not individual household food bill increases or spending adjustments.

However, in Somalia, maize prices fell by 34% and red sorghum by 10%, while South Sudan saw sorghum and maize prices decrease by 43% and 32%, respectively. Kenya's maize prices, while stable, remained 14% higher than a year ago. The report stresses that seasonal harvests and cross-border trade can mitigate pressure, but their effects vary by location, and price declines do not guarantee affordability if they remain far above historical levels.