World Food Situation

FAO Food Price Index

The FAO Food Price Index (FFPI) is a measure of the monthly change in international prices of a basket of food commodities. It consists of the average of five commodity group price indices weighted by the average export shares of each of the groups over 2014-2016. A feature article published in the June 2020 edition of the Food Outlook presents the revision of the base period for the calculation of the FFPI and the expansion of its price coverage, to be introduced from July 2020. A November 2013 article contains technical background on the previous construction of the FFPI.

Monthly release dates for 2025: 3 January, 7 February, 7 March, 4 April, 2 May, 6 June, 4 July, 8 August, 5 September, 3 October, 7 November, 5 December.

FAO Food Price Index stable in March 2025

Release date: 04/04/2025


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» The FAO Food Price Index* (FFPI) averaged 127.1 points in March 2025, remaining nearly unchanged from February. Declines in cereals and sugar price indices offset increases in those of meat and vegetable oils, while the dairy price index remained stable. Overall, the FFPI was 8.2 points (6.9 percent) higher than its corresponding level one year ago but remained 33.1 points (20.7 percent) below its peak reached in March 2022. 

» The FAO Cereal Price Index averaged 109.7 points in March, down 2.9 points (2.6 percent) from the previous month and 1.2 points (1.1 percent) lower than in March 2024. Global wheat prices declined in March as concerns over crop conditions subsided in some major Northern Hemisphere exporters, while uncertainty over rising trade tensions weighed on market sentiment. However, the decline was moderated by currency movements, tighter supply pressure in the Russian Federation, and Türkiye’s removal of its wheat import quota. Following several consecutive monthly increases, world maize prices also declined in March, driven by improved crop conditions in Brazil with recent rainfall, the start of the harvest in Argentina, bearish projections for the coming season in the United States of America, weaker-than-anticipated import demand from China, and concerns over trade policy changes in various countries. Among other coarse grains, world sorghum prices declined, while barley prices increased slightly. Meanwhile, the FAO All Rice Price Index declined by 1.7 percent in March, as weak import demand and ample exportable supplies kept export quotations under downward pressure.

» The FAO Vegetable Oil Price Index averaged 161.8 points in March, up 5.8 points (3.7 percent) month-on-month and remaining significantly higher (23.9 percent) than its level a year earlier. The continued increase in the index was driven by higher prices of palm, soy, rapeseed and sunflower oils. International palm oil prices rose for the second consecutive month, primarily due to persistently tight supplies in major producing countries in Southeast Asia, where outputs were at their seasonal lows. Meanwhile, world soyoil quotations increased, supported by robust global import demand due to its price competitiveness relative to other oils, despite subdued demand from the biofuel sector, particularly in the United States of America. International rapeseed and sunflower oil prices also increased from February, reflecting dwindling supplies from major exporters coinciding with a firm global import demand.

 

» The FAO Meat Price Index* averaged 118.0 points in March, up 1.0 point (0.9 percent) from the revised February value and 3.1 points (2.7 percent) from its year-earlier level. The increase was primarily driven by higher pig meat prices, mainly due to rising quotations in the European Union after Germany regained foot-and-mouth-disease-free status, prompting key trading partners, such as the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, to lift import bans. Rising demand contributed to stabilizing the market, while the strengthening of the euro against the United States dollar supported the upward trend. Ovine meat prices also increased, supported by strong global demand ahead of the Easter holidays. Similarly, world bovine meat quotations rose, reflecting tight global supplies and robust international demand. Meanwhile, poultry meat prices remained largely stable, as global supply and demand remained balanced despite the continued challenges posed by widespread avian influenza outbreaks in some major producing countries.

 

» 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. The index stability reflects a decline in international cheese prices offset by increases in butter and milk powder quotations. International butter prices increased for the third consecutive month, up 3.9 percent compared to February, driven by strong retail sales and growing international demand amid seasonally declining supplies in Oceania and sluggish production in Europe. Skim milk powder prices increased for the second consecutive month, supported by combination of strong international demand and tightening supplies. International quotations for whole milk powder also rose slightly, as mixed export demand in Europe—affected by the presence of foot and mouth disease in some European countries—was largely balanced by weaker global purchasing activity from Oceania amid seasonally declining milk production. International cheese prices decreased by 1.8 percent after nine months of consecutive increases, driven by stable supply in Europe alongside weakening international and domestic demand in Oceania.

 

» The FAO Sugar Price Index averaged 116.9 points in March, down 1.6 points (1.4 percent) from February and 16.5 points (12.3 percent) from its value a year ago. The decline was mainly driven by signs of weaker global demand, which has alleviated concerns over tight global sugar supplies. Additionally, recent rainfall in key sugarcane growing areas of southern Brazil, following a period of prolonged dry weather, further contributed to the decline in world sugar prices. However, deteriorating production prospects in India and persisting concerns about the overall outlook for the sugarcane crop in Brazil continued to exert upward pressure on prices, limiting the monthly decline in March.

 

* Unlike for other commodity groups, most prices utilized in the calculation of the FAO Meat Price Index are not available when the FAO Food Price Index is computed and published; therefore, the value of the Meat Price Index for the most recent months is derived from a mixture of projected and observed prices. This can, at times, require significant revisions in the final value of the FAO Meat Price Index which could in turn influence the value of the FAO Food Price Index.