Global food prices reached their highest level since late 2022 in August, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization.
Broad increases across food groups
The FAO benchmark rose to 133.3, with cereals, vegetable oils, sugar, meat and dairy all moving higher. Weather-related production setbacks, conflict and disruption to Black Sea trade contributed to tighter expectations.
International indices do not translate uniformly into shop prices. Exchange rates, local harvests, transport costs and government policies shape the impact in each country. Even so, the rise is an important warning for humanitarian agencies and low-income importing states, where households already devote a large share of income to food.