Rome – The benchmark index of world food commodity prices edged up in August, as high temperatures and other weather-related risks raised concerns over supply prospects, according to new data released Friday by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
The FAO Food Price Index, which tracks monthly changes in the international prices of a basket of globally-traded food commodities, averaged 133.3 points in August 2026, up 1.9 percent from its revised July level and 2.5 percent from a year ago.
“August’s increase in global food prices is a warning that the risk premium is returning to food markets: climate shocks, geopolitical tensions and disrupted trade logistics are converging to tighten supply expectations, showing that resilience, open trade and secure input flows are now central to global food-price stability,” said FAO Chief Economist Maximo Torero.
The FAO Cereal Price Index increased by 2.2 percent from July as international prices of all major grains rose on the back of robust import demand, growing concerns over crop prospects and continued uncertainty surrounding critical trade flows. Global wheat prices increased by 2.6 percent in August and were 15.0 percent above their year-earlier level, amid persistent disruptions to Black Sea export logistics, lower production prospects in much of Europe following hot and dry weather, and a weaker United States dollar. World maize prices increased by 2.5 percent from July, driven by mounting concerns over yield prospects in parts of the United States of America, deteriorating production prospects in the European Union, strong demand from the ethanol and feed sectors, disruptions to inputs because of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, and to Ukraine’s export flows. The FAO All Rice Price Index increased by 0.5 percent, underpinned by sustained purchases by Asian and African countries.
The FAO Vegetable Oil Price Index increased by 1.1 percent from July, reflecting higher world palm and soy oil prices, spurred by robust global import demand and concerns over the impact of El Niño-related conditions on production prospects in Southeast Asia. Meanwhile, quotations for rapeseed and sunflower oils dropped slightly amid expectations of ample supplies in the year ahead.
The FAO Meat Price Index rose by 1.0 percent in the month, with poultry, pig and ovine meat prices all higher. The increase in pig meat quotations was driven principally by high temperatures that slowed animal growth in the European Union. International bovine meat prices declined, however, as Chinese import quota allocations intensified competition among exporters in Brazil and Australia for alternative market destinations.
The FAO Dairy Price Index rose by 2.3 percent from July. Much of the increase was driven by tightening milk supplies in the European Union amid hot and dry weather.
The FAO Sugar Price Index increased by 11.9 percent in August. The surge reflected expectations of lower sugar beet yields in the European Union due to adverse weather, concerns over the impact of El Niño on production prospects in key producing countries in Asia, lower sugar production in Brazil, and India’s announcement of duty-free raw sugar imports.
