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Informist, Friday, Feb. 6, 2026

 

MUMBAI – The UN Food and Agriculture Organization's Food Price Index fell 0.4% month-on-month to 123.9 points in January, marking the fifth consecutive month of decline, as a fall in indices of dairy products, meat, and sugar outweighed the rise in cereal and vegetable oil indices. The FAO Food Price Index was down 0.6% from a year ago and around 23%  below the March 2022 peak, the organisation said in a report.

 

The Sugar Price Index averaged 89.8 points in January, down 1% from December and over 19% from a year ago. The decline was driven by expectations of increased global sugar supplies in the current season, largely underpinned by a significant production rebound anticipated in India and favourable prospects in Thailand, it said.

 

The Dairy Price Index averaged 121.8 points last month, down 5% from December and nearly 15% from a year ago. This marked the seventh consecutive monthly decline in the index, dragged down mainly by lower global cheese and butter prices, which more than offset modest increases in milk powder prices. Global milk powder prices rose, with skim milk powder recording a more pronounced increase, supported by renewed, price-sensitive import demand following several months of declines, it said.

 

The Meat Price Index averaged 123.8 points in January, down 0.4% a month ago, but up 6.1% on year. The decline mainly reflected lower global pig meat prices, while bovine and ovine meat prices remained broadly stable. In contrast, global poultry meat prices increased last month, it said.

 

The Vegetable Oil Price Index rose 2.1% month-on-month and 10.2% on year to 168.6 points in January, reflecting higher prices of palm, soy, and sunflower oils, which more than offset lower rapeseed oil prices. Global palm oil prices rose for the second consecutive month, underpinned by seasonal production slowdowns in Southeast Asia and firm global import demand driven by improved price competitiveness. Global soyoil prices rebounded on tightening export availability in South America and expectations of robust demand from the US biofuel sector, the organisation said.

 

The Cereal Price Index rose 0.2% month-on-month but fell 3.9% on year to 107.5 points in January. Global wheat prices fell by 0.4% on month in January. "Upward pressure stemming from strong export sales by Australia and Canada, along with weather concerns affecting dormant crops in the Russian Federation and the United States of America, was offset by an overall comfortable global supply situation," it said.

 

Global maize prices also continued their downward trend last month, easing by 0.2% from December. Although weather-related concerns over planting conditions in Argentina and Brazil, combined with strong ethanol demand in the US, provided some support to prices, they did not offset the generally bearish market sentiment driven by ample global supplies, the organisation said. Among other coarse grains, global barley prices rose modestly, supported by robust demand for Argentinian supplies, while sorghum prices mirrored movements in the wheat market, easing slightly. The FAO All Rice Price Index increased by 1.8% in January, reflecting firmer demand, especially for fragrant varieties.  End

 

Reported by Ashutosh Pati

Edited by Saji George Titus

 

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