FAO food price index stable in March

The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Food Price Index (FFPI) held steady in March 2025 at 127.1 points, remaining nearly unchanged from February. This stability came as declines in cereals and sugar prices were offset by higher meat and vegetable oil prices, with dairy prices unchanged. Compared to March 2024, the FFPI rose by 6.9 per cent, but remained 20.7 per cent below its peak in March 2022.

Commodity Price Movements:

• Cereals: The FAO Cereal Price Index dropped 2.6 per cent, with wheat and maize prices falling due to improved crop conditions and weaker demand.

• Vegetable Oils: The FAO Vegetable Oil Price Index rose 3.7 per cent, driven by higher palm, soy, rapeseed, and sunflower oil prices due to tight supplies.

• Meat: The FAO Meat Price Index increased by 0.9 per cent, led by rising pig, ovine, and bovine meat prices amid strong demand.

• Dairy: The FAO Dairy Price Index stood at 148.7 points in March, unchanged from February 2025 but still 24.6 points (19.9 percent) higher than its value a year ago, with rising butter and milk powder prices offset by lower cheese prices.

• Sugar: The FAO Sugar Price Index fell 1.4 per cent, primarily due to weaker global demand and improved rainfall in key sugarcane growing regions.

The FFPI’s stable performance reflects mixed trends across food commodities.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English
Subediting: M. S. Salama