Food in Burundi

Many households produce some of their own food; markets, restaurants, and bars supplement this supply. The three harvest seasons provide approximately 35%, 50%, and 15% of annual production. Grain production was approximately 789,000 tonnes in 2025, around 5% below the average of the previous five years. Below-average harvests were expected for Season A 2026 because of rainfall deficits. About 50% of the maize harvest and 80% of the bean harvest were lost in the Eastern Lowlands, Northern Lowlands, and Imbo Plains. In December 2025, the maize price was approximately 27% below the previous year's level, and the bean price was approximately 28% lower; from July to December, however, the maize price rose by about 23%. Inflation, currency depreciation, and fuel shortages make prices particularly volatile, and there are no uniform nationwide retail prices. In Bujumbura, a firm staple porridge (Ubugali) is usually made from cassava flour; maize or sorghum flour is also used regionally. It is served with Isombe, another local dish (Ilenga lenga), rice, green bananas, potatoes, and beans, as well as sauces with beef or fish. Bars often offer skewers of beef, goat, or chicken, fried green bananas, chips, and vegetables, while Ubugali is not on every restaurant menu. Among children aged 6 to 23 months, only 28% achieved adequate food diversity and 18% achieved minimum dietary adequacy in 2024 according to the standard used. In Cankuzo, the figures were 34% and 26%, and in Kayanza they were 26% and 12%. Among children under five, 82% ate foods from only five of the eight groups assessed; stunting was approximately 52.8%. Food assistance depends on the programme and area and does not establish a general entitlement. The World Food Programme supported approximately 120,000 refugees and asylum seekers; in 2024, more than 430,000 returnees and households severely affected by food insecurity received food or cash. School feeding reached more than 753,000 children at 885 schools in 2024 and is intended to expand to all primary-school children by 2032. The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Systems (MINEAGRIE) is responsible for policy on agriculture, livestock, and food systems. The standards and conformity authority (BBN) is responsible for national standards, conformity assessment, certification, legal metrology, and certain market, import, and business controls. The food technology body (CNTA) works on food technology, while the authority regulating veterinary medicines, pesticides, and certain foods (ABREVPA) regulates these areas, among others. Depending on their activity, providers must comply with hygiene, standards, and conformity requirements; a uniform nationwide complaints or recall process is not sufficiently evidenced. Climate-smart agriculture, improved post-harvest storage, irrigation, local procurement, energy-efficient cookstoves, protected kitchens, water points, and better maize stock management could help stabilise supplies. The research was completed on 5 September 2026.