Index down again led by lower wheat and maize prices
The benchmark for world food commodity prices fell further in January, led by decreases in the prices for cereal and meat, says the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
The FAO Food Price Index averaged 131.2 points in January, 0.8% lower than the previous month and 17.9% below its peak reached in March 2022.
The index tracks monthly changes in the international prices of commonly traded food commodities.
The price indices for vegetable oils, dairy and sugar drove the January decline, while those for cereals and meat remained largely stable.
In January, the FAO Cereal Price Index was essentially unchanged, up 0.1% from December and stood 4.8% above its level of one year earlier.
International wheat prices declined by 2.5% as production in Australia and the Russian Federation outpaced expectations.
World maize prices rose marginally due to strong demand for exports from Brazil and concerns over dry conditions in Argentina.
International rice prices, however, jumped by 6.2% from December, influenced by tighter availabilities, strong local demand in some Asian exporting countries and exchange rate movements.
The FAO Dairy Price Index averaged 1.4% lower than in December, with prices trending down for butter and milk powders on lighter demand from leading importers and increased supplies from New Zealand.
World cheese prices rose slightly, driven by a recovery in food services and retail sales in Western Europe following the New Year holiday, as well as currency movements.
The FAO Meat Price Index moved fractionally in January, edging down just 0.1% from December, as ample export availabilities weighed on poultry, pig and bovine meat prices , while ovine export prices rose due to stronger import demand.
