Global food prices experienced a 1% increase in April compared to March, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. This rise occurs amid trade disputes over tariffs. On the other hand, basic commodities showed a global increase of 7.6% compared to the previous year, surpassing the 6.9% of March.
Regarding the categories that most contributed to this rise, cereals, dairy products, and meat stand out, counterbalancing the decrease in sugar and vegetable oil prices. The FAO indicated that adjustments in U.S. tariff policies contributed to upward pressure on prices.
Dairy products increased by 2.4% in April and by 22.9% compared to the same month last year. Meanwhile, meat saw a 3.2% monthly rise, led by pork cuts due to global demand. FAO economists noted that currency fluctuations and tariff adjustments increased uncertainty in the food market.
In contrast, the FAO vegetable oil price index fell by 2.3% in April, although it remains 20.7% above last year's level. In this regard, the report highlighted that the drop was mainly due to a decrease in palm oil prices. On the other hand, sugar recorded a 3.5% reduction in April, marking its second consecutive monthly decline.
Finally, in the case of cereals, a 1.2% monthly increase was observed. FAO experts indicated that fluctuations in global food prices are influenced by global economic uncertainty and the effects on the demand for food and beverages.
