FAO says global food price index dipped 0.2% in May to 130.8 points
The Facts
- The FAO Food Price Index averaged 130.8 points in May, down 0.2% from a revised April level of 131.0.
- The index was 2.9% higher than a year earlier.
- FAO said declines in vegetable oil prices offset increases in cereals and sugar, leaving the overall index little changed month to month.
- Despite the May dip, the index remained near its highest level since January 2023 and was still 18.4% below its March 2022 peak.
- FAO's cereal price index rose 2.6% from April and was about 5% higher than a year earlier.
- Sources citing FAO said cereal prices were supported by higher fuel and fertilizer costs and weather-related pressures, with wheat prices rising on expectations of smaller harvests in major exporting countries including the United States.
- The index matters beyond one commodity because it measures monthly changes in a basket of globally traded food commodities used as a benchmark for international food markets.
How left and right are reading this
- Both agree
- The slight May dip did not amount to a meaningful easing: this global benchmark stayed near its highest level since January 2023, with rising cereal prices masked in the headline number by cheaper vegetable oils.
- They split on
- Less a disagreement than a question of emphasis: persistent pressure in staple food markets beneath a flat overall index, versus mixed signals across commodities that caution against reading the month as a clear turn.
Analytical frames for this storyTap to explore
Context
What is the FAO Food Price Index?
It is FAO's measure of monthly changes in international prices for a basket of globally traded food commodities Reuters,Anadolu Ajansı.
Why did the overall index fall in May if some food categories rose?
FAO said lower vegetable oil prices, along with declines in dairy prices in some reports, offset increases in cereals and sugar, leaving the overall index down slightly from April zonebourse,Canal Rural,Jornal de Brasília.
What is still pushing food prices higher?
FAO-linked reports said cereal prices were lifted by higher fuel and fertilizer costs, weather-related pressures, and expectations of smaller wheat harvests in major exporting countries Reuters,Anadolu Ajansı,Anadolu Ajansı.
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Independent coverage (50)
L'Economiste MaghrébinBaisse de de 0,2 % de l'indice mondial des prix alimentaires...
La JornadaLa Jornada: Caen los precios de los alimentos, pero siguen e...
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UN NewsHaití, precios de los alimentos, día del medio ambiente, pes...
RFD-TVGlobal Food Prices Ease Slightly, But Cereal and Sugar Gains...
Forbes BrasilPreços Mundiais de Alimentos Caem em Maio, Mas Ainda Estão P...
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La RegiónEl precio de los alimentos cae dos décimas en mayo, pero se ...
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Canal RuralÍndice de preços dos alimentos da FAO fica estável em maio
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UOLÍndice de preços dos alimentos da FAO fica praticamente está...
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Financial FoodLos precios mundiales de los alimentos se redujeron ligerame...
AllnewsLes prix alimentaires mondiaux stables sur un mois, mais les...
World GrainFAO Cereal Price Index rises in May
Bloomberg LíneaLos precios mundiales de los alimentos se mantienen cerca de...
zonebourseL'indice FAO des prix des produits alimentaires demeure stab...
Prensa latinaFAO reportó estabilidad en precios de los alimentos a nivel ...
Azertag News-AgencyLes prix alimentaires mondiaux ont baissé en mai
Diário da AmazôniaPreços globais dos alimentos ficam estáveis em maio
Agriland.ieFAO: World food prices 'broadly stable' in May
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El EconomistaLos precios mundiales de los alimentos caen en mayo, pero si...
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Vitória AgoraPreços globais dos alimentos ficam estáveis em maio
TerraPreços mundiais de alimentos caem em maio mas ainda estão pe...
UOLPreços mundiais de alimentos caem em maio mas ainda estão pe...
Jornal Diário do Grande ABCÍndice de preços dos alimentos da FAO fica praticamente está...
ekonomist.com.trFAO açıkladı: Küresel gıda fiyatlarında sınırlı düşüş
cnbctv18.comWorld food prices slip in May, still near three-year high, F...
Yahoo! FinanceFAO-tracked world cereal prices hit 19-month high on fuel, f...
europa pressEl precio mundial de los alimentos cae un 0,2% en mayo pero ...
Anadolu AjansıFAO: Küresel gıda fiyatları mayısta yüzde 0,2 geriledi
CNN BrasilPreços globais dos alimentos ficam estáveis em maio | CNN Br...
Anadolu AjansıGlobal food prices edge down 0.2% in May, cereal prices rise
SabahFAO: Küresel gıda fiyatları geriledi
HaberlerFAO: Küresel gıda fiyatları mayısta yüzde 0,2 geriledi
MEOWorld food prices slip in May
The Straits TimesWorld food prices slip in May, still near 3-year high, FAO s...
just-food.comFAO-tracked world cereal prices hit 19-month high on fuel, f...
The Wall Street JournalFood Prices Mostly Stable in May But Middle East Conflict Th...
BloombergHTKüresel gıda fiyatları, 3 yılın zirvesine yakın seyrediyor
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