World food prices near two-year high in January

World food prices rose 2.1% in January from the previous month, according the Food and Agriculture Organisation’s (FAO) food price index.

John Boylan

5 February 2017

World food prices near two-year high in January

The FAO is forecasting another record global grain harvest this year.

The FAO’s food price index measures monthly changes in prices for a basket of cereals, dairy products, oilseeds, meat and sugar. In January the basket average reached 173.8 points, up from 170.2 in December.

The increase pushed food prices on international markets to their highest level since February 2015 and a whopping 16.4% higher than the figure for January 2016.

The FAO is predicting a record harvest of 2.592bn tonnes of global cereals for 2016/2017.

Dairy trends: NZ exports suggest China demand is strong

Weaker price tone to grain markets

RELATED STORIES

Thomas Hubert

'What's a farmer's life worth?' asks Charlie Hebdo in heartfelt editorial

The French satirical newspaper targeted by terrorists last year has reacted to recent farmers' protests with a scathing editorial on the declining value attached to food and to those who produce it.

Thomas Hubert

Monday grain market update: world wheat prices continue to fall

Although maize and rapeseed stabilised at the end of last week, wheat futures continued to decrease (€1=$1.1437=£0.739).

Amy Forde

Minister McConalogue concludes World Food Programme visit to Africa

WFP South Sudan, under the leadership of country director, and Donegal native, Mary Ellen McGroarty, is supporting farmers to diversify their systems, says minister.

Anne O'Donoghue

President Higgins to receive UN Food and Agriculture Organisation medal

The medal is conferred upon international figures who have undertaken outstanding efforts to advance the cause of global food security, poverty alleviation and nutrition.