Food insecurity is expected to persist in Lesotho’s Southern Lowlands, Senqu River Valley and Mountain regions through January 2027, with some poor households likely to face crisis-level food shortages following a below-average 2026 harvest
According to a recent report by the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET), declining household food stocks are expected to increase reliance on markets for food as the lean season progresses. However, households’ ability to purchase food is likely to weaken from this month as income-earning opportunities diminish, local brew sales decline and remittances decrease.
“The situation is likely to worsen amid forecasts of a late and below-average rainy season between October 2026 and March 2027, influenced by anticipated strong El Niño conditions. Below-average rainfall and prolonged dry spells could limit crop development and reduce yields, particularly for maize, which is highly sensitive to moisture stress,” the report states.
