The latest FAO Food Price Index was released yesterday, remaining virtually unchanged from October at 206.3 points. The Index is 4.4 percent below its November 2012 level.

The Cereals Index dropped two points in November, and is a full 24 percent lower than it was in November 2012. This year's record cereals crop is the main driver of this reduction in cereals prices, particularly for wheat, maize, and rice.

Since 1998, the Global Trade Analysis Project (GTAP) , coordinated by the Center for Global Trade Analysis at Purdue University, has organized an annual conference to promote the exchange of ideas among economists conducting quantitative analysis of global economic issues. In June 2014, the 17th Annual Conference will be co-organized by AGRODEP and held in Dakar, Senegal.

Global food prices have declined by 6 percent over the last quarter, according to the latest World Bank Food Price Watch. However, the report warns that prices are still not that far from their historical peak, at only 16 percent below the all-time high reached in August 2012.

Global food prices are becoming less volatile compared to recent years, according to a new FAO report. The November 2013 Food Outlook credits the more balanced markets to the recovery of global cereal inventories. 2013 has seen a significant increase in cereal production, largely based on increased maize crops in the US and record wheat crops in CIS countries.

Highlights for other crops include:

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.

October 16 is World Food Day.

About one in eight people worldwide suffered from chronic hunger during the past two years, according to the United Nations. Though daunting, that ratio is an improvement over previous years. In fact, the 2013 Global Hunger Index report released Monday shows that global hunger levels have declined by nearly 35 percent since 1990.

FAO recently released its 2013 State of Food Security in the World report. This annual report looks at the number and location of people suffering from chronic hunger around the globe, and provides analysis of how different policies can be used to target different regions and populations.

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 FEWS Net Monthly Price Watch was released today, reporting considerable declines in the price of wheat and maize in the past few months. Between June and August, monthly average international maize prices dropped significantly due to improved harvest prospects in the United States; current harvest prospects suggest that prices may drop even further in the coming months. Global maize stocks are also projected to rise to their highest levels in nearly a decade.

The USDA released its latest World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report today. The WASDE report provides monthly comprehensive forecasts of supply and demand for major U.S. and global crops, supplied by the USDA. Crops covered include wheat, coarse grains, rice, and oilseeds. This report can explain past and current global commodities trends, as well as predict trends for the coming year. This month's report estimates 2013/2014 global wheat production at a record 705.4 million tons. Global wheat supply estimated were also raised by 7.5 million tons this month.