FAO Food Price Index: Global food prices have dropped more than 10% since last October

The FAO Food Price Index for October 2023 is out. Where do global food prices stand, and which categories saw the largest gains?

picnic summer food_adobe stock.png

Adobe Stock

This month’s FAO Food Price Index is out. The index measures the monthly change in the price of food commodities around the globe. Where do global food prices stand, and which categories saw the largest gains?

The FAO Food Prince Index for October was down 0.5 percent from September, and almost 11 percent below this time last year.

Most categories were down, following a recent trend that started about a year ago. This comes with declines in sugar, cereals, vegetable oils, and meat.

Here are some key takeaways from this month’s report:

  • Dairy saw an increase, up 2.2 percent, but still around 20 percent off a year ago.
  • The cereal price index was down one percent.
  • Vegetable oil was down to 0.7.
  • Meat was down 0.6 percent, and sugar fell 2.2 percent.
Related Stories
Strong Easter demand supports protein and crop markets.
AFBF Economist Danny Munch breaks down a new Farm Bureau analysis showing that producers now earn less than 6 cents of every food dollar, as farm input costs continue to squeeze margins.
Domestic demand policy may play a larger role if export competition continues to limit price recovery.

Marion is a digital content manager for RFD News and FarmHER + RanchHER. She started working for Rural Media Group in May 2022, bringing a decade of digital experience in broadcast media and some cooking experience to the team.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

More Farms File for Bankruptcy As Strong Farm Loan Demand Boosts Bank Earnings
JBS representatives told Reuters that the original deal has not changed and that they welcome employees back to the facility.
China’s changing pork demand may limit export growth opportunities.
Charly Cummings with Superior Livestock Auctions provides a real-time look at cattle market activity, demand trends, and what lies ahead for upcoming livestock auctions in Texas.
Real Ag Radio’s Shaun Haney talks about astronaut Jeremy Hansen’s historic moment in space with NASA’s Artemis II mission, and Hansen’s connection to agriculture as the son of a Canadian farmer.
North Carolina Farmer Trey Braswell joined us to discuss the White House Easter Egg Roll, his company’s continued involvement, and efforts to expand access to eggs nationwide.