AKIPRESS.COM - The analysis of vegetation level shows that areas with unfavourable vegetation remain in evidence in the main crop producing areas in the north including lowland Chui and Talas, the World Food Programme said in its latest Monthly Food Price and Food Security update.
Purchasing power of smallholder farmers in the affected areas is at risk of deterioration, because crop production is the main source of both income and food consumption for smallholders.
The national average retail price of wheat flour increased by 2% on a month-on-month basis in July 2014 with 1% increase in urban and 2% increase in rural areas. The price was 7% higher on a year-on-year basis.
Fuel prices increased by 7% and 6% for petrol 92 and diesel respectively in July 2014 and were 16% and 12% higher than the same month in 2013.
In the months ahead, WFP will pay close attention to a number of risk factors and their impact on household level food security: drought, volatile food and fuel prices, the national currency exchange rates, as well as the occurrence of natural disasters.
The price data reflects WFP’s actual recording of prices in seven urban and thirteen rural markets around the country on a monthly basis, as well as urban settlements monitored by the National Statistical Committee.