Honduras faces agricultural crisis amid drought and rising food costs

Honduras is facing a dual crisis of severe drought and rising food costs. In the Corredor Seco and southern regions like Choluteca, extreme heat and lack of rainfall have devastated crops and livestock. Milk production has dropped by approximately 30% due to water and pasture shortages, causing an estimated 8 million lempira loss in the sector and forcing some processing plants to reduce staff by 20%.

In response to rising costs of basic goods, the Honduran government and the poultry sector have reached an agreement to lower egg prices. Starting September 11, a carton of 30 eggs will be sold for 95 lempiras at Banasupro stores nationwide and 104 lempiras at the Zonal Belén market. The Ministry of Economic Development will conduct monthly reviews of production costs to ensure prices remain fair.

Economists have also suggested that reducing intermediaries in the agricultural supply chain could further help stabilize the prices of the basic food basket and improve income for rural producers.