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FEWS NET has released the latest Monthly Price Watch for May 2012. The report cites slight fluctuations in the international grains markets, with wheat increasing in many markets and maize export prices continuing to decrease. In both East and West Africa, staple food prices (particularly cereals prices) increased in April. These increases were due to diminishing stocks from previous harvests (East Africa) and a rapid increase in demand that is still unmatched by supply (West Africa, particularly the Sahel).

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FEWS NET has released a new outlook report for West Africa/Sahel. The report states that crisis-level food insecurity is expected to continue in a number of areas in the region, based on current market prices, trade patterns, labor conditions, and social conditions. Chronic malnutrition is expected to rise above 15 percent.

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FEWS NET has released the Global Price Watch for November 2011, citing a slight decline in global wheat and maize prices. On the other hand, global rice prices increased slightly due to a decline in Thai exports and floods in Southeast Asia.

Prices in East Asia fell in some surplus-producing areas, as well as areas in the Horn of Africa that continue to receive significant international assistance. Grain supplies are constrained in West Africa due to delayed harvests; this constrain has delayed the seasonal price decreases in that reason.

FEWS NET has released a food security alert for West Africa to establish a context for regional agricultural production and food security prospects for the 2011/12 consumption year. The report's key messages include:

In the most likely scenario, crop production in the region will be less than last year’s bumper harvest (59 million tons) but near the 2005/06-2009/10 average (~50 million tons).