Conflict, floods disrupt cereal production as food insecurity deepens in DR Congo: FAO
The area planted with the 2025 main season maize crop is estimated to be below the five-year average
DRC – Cereal production in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) remains under pressure following escalating conflict in the east and widespread flooding that disrupted agricultural activity during the 2025 season, compounding an already fragile food security situation, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
Harvesting of the 2025 main maize crop was completed in November in the bimodal rainfall northern provinces, while harvesting in the central provinces extended into January 2026.
However, production outcomes have been undermined by insecurity and climatic shocks. The conflict in the eastern Kivu Region intensified at the end of January 2025, triggering widespread population displacement and forcing many farmers to abandon their land.
The disruption of cropping activities has weakened a key pillar of household food supply and rural incomes, particularly in conflict-affected zones.
As a result, the area planted with the 2025 main season maize crop is estimated to be below the five-year average.
Beyond insecurity, severe floods between April and September 2025 caused extensive damage to cropland in the Kinshasa Region and destroyed infrastructure in several provinces, further constraining national cereal output.
While violence is currently concentrated in the eastern part of the country, there are growing concerns that instability could spread to other regions, negatively affecting production prospects for the 2025 secondary season maize crop.
Market conditions have mirrored these supply-side pressures. Prices of locally produced maize and imported rice remained high throughout 2025, reflecting limited availability in domestic markets.
Elevated food prices are part of a longer-term trend that has intensified since at least 2023, driven by persistent food insecurity, repeated economic shocks, and constrained liquidity linked to the limited circulation of the Congolese franc.
For urban consumers and conflict-affected households, high staple prices have reduced access to basic cereals, increasing reliance on humanitarian assistance.
The deterioration in agricultural production and market access is feeding into a broader food security crisis.
According to the November 2025 Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis cited by FAO, about 24.8 million people, over 20 percent of the analysed population, were estimated to face acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3, Crisis, and above) between September and December 2025.
This included 3.2 million people in IPC Phase 4 (Emergency), mainly in the territories of Djugu and Mambasa in Ituri Province and Masisi in North Kivu Province.
Outlook projections point to further deterioration. For the January to June 2026 period, the IPC projects that 26.6 million people, equivalent to 22 percent of the population, will face IPC Phase 3 or worse, an increase of 1.8 million people compared with the previous period.
Six additional territories are expected to shift into IPC Phase 4 (Emergency), including Lubero and Walikale in North Kivu, Kalehe and Fizi in South Kivu, and Kongolo and Moba in Tanganyika Province.
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