International Food Prices Eased in July

ROME - Aug 5/21 - SNS -- International prices for food ingredients declined in July, according to the FAO's food price index, which slipped 1.2% to average 123 points, but 31% higher than last year.

The FAO Cereal Price Index was 3% lower in July than in June, pushed down by a 6% month-on-month drop in international maize prices associated with better-than-earlier projected yields in Argentina and improved production prospects in the United States of America, even as crop conditions in Brazil remained a concern.

Prices of other coarse grains such as barley and sorghum also dropped significantly, reflecting weaker import demand. However, wheat quotations edged 1.8% higher in July to reach their highest levels since the middle of 2014 partly because of concerns over dry weather and crop conditions in North America. At the same time, international rice prices hit two-year lows, impacted by currency movements and a slow pace of sales caused by high freight costs and logistical hurdles.

Interestingly, global pulse prices also eased 0.9% in July to average 91.7 points, up 23.5% from the same month last year, according to STAT's index calculations. Interestingly, pulse prices in the United States advanced 0.9% in July to reach 98.54 points, but this was offset by a 1.2% decline in the Canadian pulses price index to 92.12 points. Current market trends suggest the index will rise in August.

The FAO Vegetable Oil Price Index reached a five-month low, declining 1.4% from June, as lower prices for soy, rape and sunflower seed oils more than offset rising palm oil values. A lower biodiesel blending mandate in Argentina pressured soyoil prices lower, while those for rape and sunflower oils were influenced by prospective record supplies for the 2021-22 season.

The FAO Dairy Price Index declined 2.8% from June, impacted by slower market activity in the Northern hemisphere due to ongoing summer holidays, with skim milk powder registering the largest drop, followed by butter, whole milk powder and cheese.

In contrast, the FAO Sugar Price Index increased by 1.7% in July, its fourth monthly increase. The rise was mostly related to firmer crude oil prices as well as uncertainties over the impact of recent frosts on yields in Brazil, the worlds largest sugar exporter, while good production prospects in India prevented a larger jump.

The FAO Meat Price Index rose marginally from June, with quotations for poultry meat rising the most due to increased imports by East Asia and limited production expansions in some regions. Bovine meat prices also strengthened, buoyed by high imports from China and lower supplies from major producing regions. Meanwhile, pig meat prices fell, following a decline in imports by China.