Focus – UN: World food prices reach highest level in nearly four years

World food prices rose in September to the highest level since November 2022, influenced mainly by disruptions to transport and trade, as well as concerns about weather conditions, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) announced today, according to Reuters.

The FAO Food Price Index, which measures monthly changes in the international prices of a basket of food commodities, averaged 136 points in September, up from 134 points in August.

This was the third consecutive monthly increase and the highest level in almost four years. Compared with a year earlier, the index has risen by 5.8%.

The increase was driven especially by products such as wheat, sugar and vegetable oils.

The price of wheat rose by 5.1%, that of sugar by 6.1% and that of vegetable oils by 0.9%.

In contrast, meat prices fell by 1.1%, while dairy prices fell by 0.1%.

According to FAO, wheat prices rose by 6.3%, influenced by logistical difficulties in the Black Sea region and dry weather in parts of North America.

Maize prices rose by 5.6%, due to concerns over production in the US, tighter supplies from Brazil and trade disruptions in the Black Sea.

FAO also warned that concerns about the “El Niño” phenomenon have influenced the rise in sugar prices, while transport problems in the Strait of Hormuz and the Black Sea are adding pressure on energy, transport and food product costs.

Nevertheless, FAO forecasts that global wheat production in 2026 will reach about 2.979 billion tonnes, 2.1% less than in 2025, but still the second highest level ever recorded.