Burundi - Key Message Update July 2023

Increased fuel prices in July likely to contribute to further food price rise

Key Messages
Minimal (IPC Phase 1) food security outcomes persist in most
western parts of the country due to near-average Season B
crop production and typical income sources. However, poor
and very poor households in the Eastern and Northern
Lowlands and Eastern Dry Plateaus livelihood zones are likely
to face Stressed (IPC Phase 2) food security outcomes driven
by below-average bean production, high food prices, and
below-average income. Additionally, below-average cross-
border trade with Tanzania and Rwanda is reducing food and
income sources.
Due to the Season B harvest, the price of beans decreased by
40 percent at the national level compared to May. However,
prices of other staple foods, such as maize, cassava, sweet
potatoes, and rice, remained stable. Despite the seasonal
decrease for bean prices, overall staple food prices continue to
be high, ranging between 40 and 65 percent above last year's
prices and exceeding the five-year average. Labor wages have
increased by about 25 percent compared to the previous year,
with the current wage standing at approximately 3,600 BIF.
However, this wage is only sufficient to cover nearly 60
percent of the food basket required for a typical family of six
persons. This indicates that the income earned through labor
is inadequate for an average family to afford sufficient food.
As a result, poor households, particularly in the northern and
eastern parts of the country, are likely to face wider food
consumption gaps.

The persistent high food prices are primarily attributed to

increased production costs, including higher expenses for
labor, fertilizers, and improved seeds. Additionally, the
depreciation of the BIF by 35 percent compared to last year
made imported food more expensive, further adding to the
overall increase in food prices. Furthermore, the rise in fuel
prices by 36 percent between January and mid-July has
contributed to increased transportation costs for food
products. The recent decree of a 22 percent increase in fuel
prices on July 21 is expected to further escalate food prices,
especially during the lean period towards the end of 2023. As a
result of these combined factors, there is a widening gap in
food consumption for poor households, particularly in the
northern and eastern parts of the country.

FEWS NET Burundi

FEWS NET is a USAID-funded activity. The content of this report does not necessarily reflect the view
burundi@fews.net
of the United States Agency for International Development or the United States Government.
fews.net/east-africa/burundi
Key Message Update July 2023

According to WFP, a funding shortfall has led to 56,000 refugees and asylum seekers receiving only half of
their regular food ration. This shortage in food assistance is likely to contribute to Stressed! (IPC Phase 2!)
outcomes. To address this situation, the government has granted access to labor employment outside the
refugee camps to provide refugees and asylum seekers with an opportunity to increase their income and
improve their access to food. However, local employment prospects are limited due to low labor demand.
Nearly 1,800 returnees have benefited from a full ration consisting of hot meals provided in transit centers and
a three-month return package. Furthermore, over 9,000 people affected by climatic shocks in Imbo Plains and
the Northern livelihood zones have received humanitarian assistance in the form of in-kind and cash transfers,
which cover 100 percent of caloric needs.
Recommended Citation: FEWS NET. Burundi Key Message update, July 2023. Increased fuel prices in July likely to
contribute to further food price rise, 2023.

About Key Message Update

This Key Message Update provides a high-level analysis of current acute food insecurity conditions and any changes to FEWS NET's latest projection of acute food insecurity outcomes
in the specified geography. Learn more here.

Famine Early Warning Systems Network

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