The index is also impacted by the rise in cereal and rice prices, in a context of disruptions related to the Strait of Hormuz crisis
The global food price index rose in April for the third consecutive month, due to higher energy costs and disruptions caused by the conflict in the Middle East, according to the latest data published by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
The FAO Food Price Index, which tracks the monthly changes in international prices of a basket of globally traded food commodities, averaged 130.7 points in April, up 1.6% from its revised March level and 2.0% year-on-year.The FAO Cereal Price Index rose by 0.8% compared to March and by 0.4% year-on-year, reflecting the increase in prices of major cereals, except for sorghum and barley. Global wheat prices increased by 0.8%, due to concerns about drought in certain regions of the United States and an increased likelihood of below-average rainfall in Australia. This rise was further accentuated by forecasts of reduced wheat planting areas in 2026, as farmers turn to less fertilizer-intensive crops in the face of soaring fertilizer prices—driven itself by rising energy costs and disruptions related to the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
