Page 4 - Vol. 39-No.4 issue

THE MEASURE OF WORLD FOOD PRICES
EDITORIAL
ROSE IN APRIL FOR FIRST TIME IN A YEAR

The benchmark index of international food com- The FAO Dairy Price Index dropped by 1.7 percent, 39
modity prices rose in April for the first time in a year, impacted by the persistent slack global import demand 39
amid increases in world quotations for sugar, meat for milk powders and higher cheese export availabilities
and rice, the Food and Agriculture Organization of in Western Europe.
the United Nations (FAO) reported. Updated production and trade forecasts
The FAO Food Price Index, which tracks monthly ❐ Arab World Agribusiness -
changes in the international prices of commonly-trad- In a new Cereal Supply and Demand Brief, also re- The most widely circulated
ed food commodities, averaged 127.2 points in April leased today, FAO adjusted its world wheat production
2023, up 0.6 percent from March. forecast for 2023. The global outturn is now pegged agribusiness journal for Arab
at 785 million tonnes, the second largest on record,
At that level, the Index was 19.7 percent below its but down from last season mostly on declines in Aus- countries
level in April 2022, but still 5.2 percent higher than tralia and the Russian Federation from their record
in April 2021. 2022 outputs.
The FAO Sugar Price Index rose 17.6 percent from For maize, Brazil’s production is expected to reach a ❐ 39 years in Arab Agribusiness
March, reaching its highest level since October 2011, record high, while that of Argentina is projected to drop services.
due to reduced productions expectations and outcomes below average levels due to prolonged dry conditions
in India, China, Thailand and the European Union caused and heat waves. Conducive weather conditions have
by dry weather conditions as well as to a slow start bolstered yield expectations in South Africa, which ❐ Linking farmers, decision
of the sugarcane crop harvest in Brazil, along with expects the second highest harvest on record. makers and researchers in
higher international crude oil prices, which can increase
demand for sugarcane -based ethanol. Meanwhile, 2023/24 prospects for rice production agriculture field.
along and south of the equator are mixed, largely due
The FAO Meat Price Index rose 1.3 percent during to the regionally varied impact of the La Niña event.
the month, driven primarily by higher pig meat quota- Going forward, the possible emergence of the El Niño ❐ First-hand information on
tions, followed by poultry prices, which increased amid phenomenon during the northern hemisphere summer
Asian import demand and production curbs spurred by will need to be closely watched. agricultural resources.
animal health issues. International bovine meat prices FAO raised its earlier projection for world trade in
also increased due to a decline in cattle supplies for ❐ Subscribe now and get a
slaughter, especially in the United States of America. cereals in 2022/23 to 472 million tonnes, now some
2.2 percent below its record level in the previous free copy of the “Arab
In the meantime, price indices for other major food season. Global wheat trade is forecast to rise by 2.3
commodity categories, with the exception of rice, percent, while global trade in coarse grains will likely Agriculture 2023 Year
continued their declining trend. by 5.5 percent. International trade in rice in 2023 is Book”.
The FAO Cereal Price Index dipped 1.7 percent from predicted to contract by 4.4 percent year-to-year.
March and averaged 19.8 percent below its April 2022 World cereal utilization in 2022/23 is forecast at
value. International wheat prices declined by 2.3 per- 2 780 million tonnes, and world cereal stocks by the ❐ Arab Agriculture- a complete
cent, due mostly to large exportable availabilities in close of seasons to stand at 855 million tonnes. Based
Australia and the Russian Federation. World maize prices on these latest forecasts, the 2022/23 global cere- reference Directory.
fell 3.2 percent as supplies in South America seasonally al stocks-to-use ratio would stand at 29.8 percent,
increased with ongoing harvests. On the other hand, down slightly from 30.8 percent during the previous
against a backdrop of reduced harvests caused by 12 months, but still indicating a relatively comfortable ❐ Alphabetical listings of Int’l and 1 Year Subscription US$ 80
higher input costs and adverse weather, especially supply level globally, FAO said. Arab Food and Agriculture
outside of Asia, sales to Asian buyers sustained an 3 Years Subscription US$ 230
increase in international rice prices. companies.

“It is important that we continue to track very closely
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Maximo Torero. “At the same time, the increase in rice Poultry For further details contact: Publication of
prices is extremely worrisome and it is essential that • Breeding/Feeding systems
the Black Sea initiative is renewed to avoid any other Seeds and Plantstock, Fertilizers, FAnAr PUbliShing Wll Arab Agriculture
spikes in wheat and maize,” he added. Directory
Harvesting and Storage Marketing & Circulation Dept.
The FAO Vegetable Oil Price Index declined by 1.3 • Balers and bale handling equipment with one year
percent in the month, registering its fifth consecutive P.O. Box 10131, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain
monthly decline. World palm oil prices were stable, • Grain handling equipment/Storage and silos Tel: (+973) 17 213900, CR No 24116 Subscription
while quotations for soy, rapeseed and sunflower oils • Combine harvesters
declined in step with seasonal harvest pressure from Show Preview: E-mail: fanar@batelco.com.bh of
a potentially record soybean crop in Brazil. Arab World
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