FAO Food Price Index

The FAO Food Price Index , released today, rose slightly in October to 205.8 points. While this is about 1.3 percent higher than in September, it is still 5.3 percent below its October 2012 levels. This small increase was driven mainly by rising sugar prices.

The latest FAO Food Price Index, released Thursday, continued to fall in September, down 2.3 points below August and a full 11 points from the beginning of the year. This marks the fifth consecutive decrease.

The Cereals Price Index dropped 12.9 points from August and as much as 65 points from September 2012. The decline reflects a favorable supply outlook, particularly for maize and rice. The Oils/Fats Price Index remained unchanged from August. The Dairy, Meat, and Sugar Indices all rose slightly in September.

The latest FAO Food Price Index, released last week, fell nearly four points from July and nearly 11 points from August 2012. This was the fourth consecutive month in which global food prices dropped.

The Cereals Price Index declined by 16.4 points from July, and fell a whopping 49.4 points from August of last year. Strong growth in global cereal production, along with a significant recovery of global maize supplies, is behind this substantial drop. The Oils/Fats Price Index also fell by 5.7 points from July, the third consecutive drop.

The latest FAO Food Price Index was released yesterday, and is down four points from June and seven points from a year ago. This is the third consecutive monthly drop and is due in large part to lower grain, soy, and oil prices.

The Cereal Price Index dropped in July by 8.8 points, down nearly 33 points from July 2012. This sharp drop was driven mainly by maize prices, which fell on favorable weather and production prospects in several major producers. Wheat prices also declined in July, but that decline was limited by increased export demand.

The FAO has released the latest version of its Food Price Index . The June Index was almost 2 points below May levels, but remained 11 points higher than in June 2012. The slight decline came mainly from sugar and dairy prices.

The Cereals Price Index also declined slightly by 2.5 points in June on expectations of bumper global crops. Tight coarse grain supplies are expected to continue until harvests in the fall, however, and the Index remains 14 points above its June 2012 level.