Reference Date: 15-July-2026

Conflicts and displacements continue to constrain agricultural production in 2026

In central and southern areas of the country, planting of the 2026 maize crop was finalized in April under near-average planted area and harvesting is expected to start in mid‑August. Latest weather forecasts point to high likelihood of average to above‑average rainfall amounts between August and September 2026, raising flood risks on maize crops that could adversely affect harvesting operations in several areas of the country, particularly the southern prefectures of Basse‑Kotto, Mbomou and Ouaka. In northern areas of the country, planting of the 2026 millet and sorghum crops was completed in early July under favourable weather conditions and harvesting is expected to begin in October.

Ongoing conflict and displacement are expected to continue throughout 2026, adversely affecting agricultural production, limiting farmers’ access to crop growing areas and essential inputs. This is likely to increase the country’s dependence on food imports and further constrain households’ access to food.

Prices of imported rice above year‑earlier values in May 2026

Retail prices of imported rice increased between January and May 2026, when they were about 13 percent above their year-earlier levels, mainly due to reduced import flows through river trade corridors from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of the Congo. By contrast, retail prices of locally produced maize declined by up to 8 percent year‑on‑year, reflecting adequate local market supplies.

About 2 million people estimated to be severely acute food insecure in 2026

According to the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis, published in June 2026, about 2 million people (nearly 30 percent of the analyzed population) were estimated to face high levels of acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 [Crisis] or above) between April and August 2026. This includes about 262 000 people classified in IPC Phase 4 (Emergency), with conflict, insecurity and limited agricultural production identified as the main drivers of food insecurity.

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), as of March 2026, about 428 000 people were internally displaced in south‑eastern, north‑eastern and north‑western parts of the country, due to armed violence and civil unrest that negatively affects their food security situation by limiting access to markets and livelihoods. The resulting disruption to livelihoods and reduced access to markets has further constrained households' access to food.

Disclaimer: The designations employed and the presentation of material in this information product do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of FAO concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

This brief was prepared using the following data/tools:
FAO/GIEWS Country Cereal Balance Sheet (CCBS) https://www.fao.org/giews/data-tools/en/ .

FAO/GIEWS Food Price Monitoring and Analysis (FPMA) Tool https://fpma.fao.org/ .

FAO/GIEWS Earth Observation for Crop Monitoring https://www.fao.org/giews/earthobservation/ .

Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) https://www.ipcinfo.org/ .