Global food prices drop in April amid pandemic: UN

By Gokhan Ergocun

ISTANBUL (AA) - Global food prices fell for the third consecutive month in April, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said on Thursday.

Food prices decreased 3.4% on a monthly basis, averaging 165.5 points, while it decreased 3% on an annual basis, the FAO said.

Sugar prices hit the 13-year low level in April, dropping 14.6% from the previous month.

"Collapsing international crude oil prices reduced demand for sugarcane to produce ethanol, diverting output to producing sugar and hence expanding export availabilities," the FAO said.

Vegetable oil prices decreased by 5.2% from the previous month, "driven lower by falling palm, soy and rapeseed oil values."

Crude oil prices also affected vegetable oil by reducing biofuel demand globally, the UN agency noted.

In April, dairy and meat prices were both down by 3.6% and 2.7%, respectively.

Due to the measures against the pandemic, such as restricting borders, limiting foreign trade and closing restaurants, dairy and meat prices were affected, the FAO expressed.

"The FAO Cereal Price Index declined only marginally, as international prices of wheat and rice rose significantly while those of maize dropped sharply," it added.

International rice prices increased by 7.2% in April versus March, due to export restrictions by Vietnam.

The FAO Food Price Index is a trade-weighted index that tracks international market prices of five major food commodity groups.

After originating in China last December, COVID-19 has spread to at least 187 countries and regions. Europe and the US are currently the worst-hit regions.

The pandemic has killed more than 264,100 worldwide, with total infections nearing 3.77 million, while recoveries are close to 1.25 million, according to figures compiled by the US’ Johns Hopkins University.