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Informist, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026

 

NEW DELHI – The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization's Food Price Index fell for the fourth consecutive month in December, as declines in price indices of dairy products, meat, and vegetable oils more than offset increases in cereals and sugar. The FAO Food Price Index averaged 124.3 points in December, down from 125.1 points in November, the organisation said in a report. The index was 3.0 points below its year-ago level and remained well below its peak in March 2022. For 2025 as a whole, the FAO Food Price Index averaged 127.2 points, up 5.2 points from 2024, the FAO said.

 

On a year-on-year basis, the index was down more than 2% and remained over 22?low its March 2022 peak, reflecting easing global food price pressures.

 

The Vegetable Oil Price Index fell to 164.6 points in December, down 0.2% on month. Lower global prices of soyoil, rapeseed oil and sunflower oil outweighed higher palm oil prices during the month, the FAO said in its report.

 

Palm oil prices firmed due to seasonally lower production in major producing countries and steady import demand, while global soyoil prices declined amid ample export availability from the Americas, while larger rapeseed output in Australia and Canada exerted downward pressure on rapeseed markets, the report said. Prices of sunflower oil declined for a second consecutive month in December, driven by sluggish global import demand amid weakening price competitiveness.

 

The Sugar Price Index rose to 90.7 points in December, up 2.4% on month. The index rose in December after three consecutive months of declines, supported by concerns over lower-than-expected output in Brazil due to unfavourable weather conditions in key producing regions. However, sugar prices remained well below their levels a year ago, as expectations of ample global supplies in the current season continued to cap gains.

 

Improved production prospects in India and Thailand, along with slower global import demand, also weighed on prices, the FAO said.

 

The Cereal Price Index rose to 107.3 points in December, up 1.7% on month, driven mainly by higher wheat and maize prices. Global wheat prices firmed on concerns over export availability from the Black Sea region and weather-related uncertainties in parts of the northern hemisphere, despite generally adequate global supplies.

 

International maize prices rose on the back of strong demand and logistical challenges in key exporting countries, while barley and sorghum prices also increased. In contrast, the FAO All Rice Price Index declined, as subdued import demand kept international rice quotations under pressure, the report said.

 

The Dairy Price Index fell to 131.6 points in December, down 4.4% on month, extending its decline for the fifth consecutive month. The index was about 1.7% lower than its year-ago level. International prices of butter, whole milk powder, and skim milk powder declined amid rising milk production and ample export supplies in key producing regions, particularly in Europe and Oceania. Cheese prices fell marginally, supported by steady demand from Asian markets, even as supplies remained adequate, according to the report.

 

The Meat Price Index fell to 123.6 points in December, down 1.3% on month, but was nearly 5% higher than its level a year ago. The fall was mainly due to lower poultry and pig meat prices. Prices declined across all meat categories, with those of bovine and poultry meats falling the most. While lower world bovine meat prices reflected weaker quotations in Australia, bovine meat prices eased marginally amid larger seasonal supplies entering the market. Pig meat prices decreased slightly, led by weaker quotations in the European Union amid subdued global demand, the report said.  End

 

Reported by Pallavi Singhal

Edited by Tanima Banerjee

 

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