Lesotho Food Commodity Prices from WFP, 1992-2026

Market-level price records for essential food commodities in Lesotho, sourced from the World Food Programme (WFP) Price Database. The data tracks prices for staples such as maize, rice, beans, fish, and sugar across multiple markets, with some records dating back to 1992. It is maintained by the WFP and updated weekly, though most observations are recorded at a monthly frequency.

Use Cases

• Analyzing historical price trends for maize and rice to identify seasonal inflation patterns in Lesotho
• Modeling the impact of economic indicators on the cost of beans and sugar in local markets
• Developing food security early warning systems based on commodity price anomalies

Strengths

• Official data sourced directly from the World Food Programme
• Longitudinal coverage spanning over 30 years for specific commodities
• Includes diverse food categories such as maize, rice, beans, fish, and sugar

Limitations

• Specific column headers and schema are not defined in the metadata
• Data is primarily monthly, which may mask intra-month price volatility
• Potential reporting gaps for earlier years (1992-2002)

Provenance

Source

World Food Programme (WFP)

Collection Method

Market monitoring and surveys

Time Range

1992 - 2026

Freshness

Updated weekly with data extending through March 2026.

Geography

Lesotho