Global Food Prices Increased In November
ROME - Dec 2/21 - SNS -- Global food ingredient prices rose for the fourth month in a row in November, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
The FAO Food Price Index averaged 134.4 points in the month, its highest level since June 2011 and 1.2% higher than during October. The index, which tracks monthly changes in the international prices of commonly-traded food commodities, was 27.3% higher than its level in November 2020.
The FAO Cereal Price Index increased by 3.1% in November from the previous month and was 23.2% higher than its year-ago level. Maize export prices rose slightly and international rice prices remained broadly steady, while wheat prices hit their highest level since May 2011.
The increase reflected strong demand amid tight supplies, especially of higher quality wheat, while prices were also supported by concerns about untimely rains in Australia and uncertainty regarding potential changes to export measures in the Russian Federation.
The FAO Vegetable Oil Price Index declined by 0.3% from a record high reached in October, reflecting lower values for soy and rapeseed oils as well as lower crude oil prices. International palm oil prices remained firm.
STAT's global pulse price index advanced 3.3% from its October average for a year over year increase of 57.7%. This was mainly due to massive increases in the Canadian index, which advanced 76.7% over November of 2020, but only 1% from its October average.
The FAO Dairy Price Index led November's aggregate rise, increasing by 3.4% from the previous month. Strong global import demand persisted for butter and milk powders as buyers sought to secure spot supplies in anticipating of tightening markets.
The FAO Sugar Price Index was 1.4% higher in November than in October and nearly 40% above its level in November 2020. The increase was primarily driven by higher ethanol prices, though large shipments from India and a positive outlook for sugar exports by Thailand tempered the upward pressure on quotations.
The FAO Meat Price Index decreased by 0.9%, its fourth consecutive monthly decline. Influenced by reduced purchases of pig meat by China led to lower international quotations, while ovine prices also fell steeply on increased exportable supplies from Australia. Bovine and poultry meat prices were largely stable.
Record Cereal Grain Output
The FAO now forecasts world cereal production at 2,791 million metric tons (MT) in 2021, a new record and 0.7% higher than the previous year. Compared to 2020, worldwide coarse grains and rice outputs are expected to increase, respectively, by 1.4% and 0.9%, while that for wheat to drop by 1.0%.
World cereal utilization in 2021-22 is forecast to rise by 1.7% to 2,810 million MT, while world cereal stocks by the close of seasons in 2022 are predicted to decline by 0.9% form opening levels. The consequent stocks-to-use ratio of 28.6% indicates a comfortable supply situation overall.
FAO forecasts global trade in cereals in 2021-22 to increase by 0.7% to 480 million MT, with a an anticipated 2.2% expansion in world wheat trade more than offsetting a likely contraction in coarse grains trade.
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