Despite promising harvests, East and Southern Africa continue to struggle with alarmingly high and volatile food prices. This paradox highlights that the core issue is not a lack of potential, but a failure of markets and infrastructure. The region possesses abundant arable land, yet poor market integration creates staggering price disparities; for instance, maize can cost over $450 a ton in Kenya while selling for half that in neighboring Zambia. To transform this situation, a clear, four-part solution is essential. First, robust regional market monitoring is needed to prevent manipulation and improve transparency. Second, stronger cross-border trade policies must replace restrictive “beggar-thy-neighbor” practices. Third, critical investment in storage, irrigation, and logistics is required to build climate resilience. Finally, financing must be directed to the small-scale farmers who form the backbone of food production.
The Conversation
