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The ongoing favorable harvest is improving food consumption

The ongoing favorable harvest is improving food consumption Key Messages Key Messages The harvest, which began in April and continues through August, is expected to be average, driving seasonal improvements in food availability, agricultural labor, and income-earning opportunities. Staple food prices remain broadly stable due to stable import flows and the favorable harvest. Combined with above-average land preparation for winter crops, particularly in the lowlands and foothills, many households will be able to access sufficient food to meet their food consumption needs. Despite some late-season crop losses, the ongoing harvest is expected to be favorable. Crops reached maturity countrywide in May, with above-average total area planted following a favorable rainy season. However, according to recent field observations, erratic heavy rainfall since late April has caused widespread crop damage due to water logging, particularly in the southern lowland districts of Mafeteng, Mohale’s Hoek, and Maseru. Based on field observations and key informant interviews, households have lost 30 to 50 percent of their potato and bean crops. Similarly, 20 to 30 percent of maize crops have been lost due to the recent heavy rainfall, while around 10 percent of sorghum crops have been lost. However, the harvest remains above-average in the surplus-producing areas, such as the foothills and northern lowlands. As a result, the harvest is expected to be below average in the southern lowlands. The government of Lesotho declared a state of emergency on March 27 in response to the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in the highland districts of Qacha’s Nek, Butha-Buthe, Mokhotlong, Leribe, and Berea. In response, the government implemented measures such as quarantining affected areas, banning livestock movement without veterinary approval, training wool and mohair shearers to disinfect wool shed, earmarking existing stores to comply with World Health Organization (WHO) standards, and culling livestock. To date, over 160 cases have been reported. According to field observations from a recent FEWS NET assessment, the spread of the disease has been controlled due to proper veterinary interventions. As a result, impacts on household income are expected to remain minimal. Since February, petrol and diesel prices have increased by 30 and 60 percent, respectively, linked to the indirect effects of the regional escalation in the Middle East. Government fuel subsidies are preventing further increases in fuel prices. As fuel prices have increased, transportation prices are surging, where local public transport fares increased by 30 percent since the beginning of May. Despite fuel price increases, staple food prices remain stable, supported by the ongoing harvest that is maintaining market supply. Stable import flows from South Africa, alongside carryover stocks from the previous marketing year, are supporting average market supply. While localized price increases are occurring in remote areas due to rising transportation costs, prices are expected to remain broadly stable. Agricultural labor opportunities are likely to improve household access to income as the harvest continues and land preparation begins for the winter wheat. However, in the southern lowlands, agricultural labor opportunities are atypically low due to recent heavy rainfall, which is preventing individuals from accessing fields for harvesting due to waterlogging. Land preparation for winter wheat is underway, providing households with additional income-earning opportunities through July. Labor migration to South Africa is continuing at normal levels, providing a key source of income through remittances. As a result, average income access, alongside stable staple food prices, is expected to support household purchasing power and food access. avaidya@fews.net Thu, 06/04/2026 - 18:13 Download the report 34