Global food prices increase due to adverse weather conditions, FAO says

The information is contained within the latest FAO Food Price Index, which tracks the international prices of the principal food commodities. It showed a 1.2 per cent increase between April and May.

Every month this year, global food prices have increased, primarily due to adverse weather conditions driving up the cost of cheese and maize, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said on Thursday. The information is contained within the latest FAO Food Price Index, which tracks the international prices of the principal food commodities. It showed a 1.2 per cent increase between April and May.

With millions of pigs culled in Asia due to African Swine Fever, the pig meat index is up, but other major foodstuffs saw a dip in price. Reduced demand for biofuels, and prospects of increased output in India, saw a fall in sugar prices, and a glut in palm oil has contributed to a drop in the overall cost of vegetable oil.