Abstract

This study investigates the effects of food price volatility on household resilience in Burkina Faso between 2016 and 2024, a period marked by climatic shocks, insecurity, and market disruptions. Using a mixed-methods approach, food price data from major regional markets were analyzed alongside household surveys (n = 5,200) and interviews with traders, smallholder farmers, and humanitarian agencies. Time-series analysis showed significant volatility in staple foods—particularly millet, sorghum, and maize—correlated with seasonal rainfall fluctuations and conflict-related supply-chain blockages. Results indicate that price spikes disproportionately affected rural and low-income households, reducing dietary diversity and increasing reliance on negative coping mechanisms such as asset sales and reduced meal frequency. Households with diversified livelihoods, access to savings groups, and involvement in farmer cooperatives exhibited higher resilience scores. Regression analysis confirmed that access to social protection programs, early-warning information, and agricultural extension services were significant predictors of resilience (p < 0.05). Humanitarian food assistance mitigated short-term shocks but had limited long-term effects due to irregular coverage. The study concludes that Burkina Faso’s vulnerability to food price instability remains high, driven by structural market weaknesses and security challenges. Policy recommendations include strengthening national food reserves, improving market integration, investing in climate-resilient agriculture, and expanding community-based savings and credit schemes. Overall, the research demonstrates that building household resilience requires coordinated interventions across agriculture, social protection, and conflict mitigation.