Food Commodities Prices Ease Down in July

Following five consecutive months of increases, international prices for major food commodities finally saw a modest decline in July largely due to drops in international quotations of grains and vegetable oils that more than offset firmer dairy, meat and sugar prices, according to the latest data released by the United Nation’s Food Agriculture Organization (FAO). The Food Price Index averaged 161.9 points in July 2016, slipping 0.8 percent below its level in June and 1.4 percent below June 2015.

The Cereal Price Index averaged 148.1 points in July, down 5.6 percent from June and 11 percent below the July 2015 level. Among the major cereals, maize values dropped sharply as weather conditions in the key growing regions of the United States proved more favorable than was predicted. Wheat prices also fell in July mainly on very large world supplies and, in particular, prospects for abundant export availabilities from the Black Sea region. Rice prices strengthened somewhat, as dwindling availabilities underpinned Basmati and long-grain quotations.

The Vegetable Oil Price Index averaged 157.4 points in July, down 2.8 percent from June and falling for the third consecutive month. The slide was mainly on account of palm oil, whose price dropped to a 5-month low as regular rainfall underpinned a seasonal recovery in production in Southeast Asia while global import demand remained subdued. International prices for soy, sunflower and rapeseed oil also eased on better than earlier anticipated supply prospects, further contributing to the fall in the index.

The Dairy Price Index averaged 142.3 points in July, up 3.2 percent from June. Prices rose for all the dairy commodities, in particular for butter. Yet, they remain at very low levels compared to recent years. In the face of lackluster international demand, especially for milk powders, the EU is considering measures to foster a reduction of milk output, which rose by 4.4 percent in the year to May. In Oceania, generally favorable rainfall at the start of the 2016/17 milk year has improved yield prospects.

The Sugar Price Index averaged 278.7 points in July, up 1 percent from June. International sugar prices were largely influenced by movements in the Brazilian currency (Real), which strengthened against the U.S. dollar (up by around 4 percent in July compared with June). A stronger Real is supportive for international sugar prices because it limits Brazilian sugar exports to the world market as producers prefer to process sugarcane into ethanol for local sale.

The Meat Price Index averaged 159.9 points in July, 1.3 percent higher than its revised June value. All meat products prices firm, in particular pig meat, underpinned by limited availabilities. Notable developments include a shortage of pigs for slaughter and lighter slaughter weights in the EU and reduced output of sheep and bovine meat in Oceania, caused by herd rebuilding. At the same time, international demand for meat remains firm, supported by a recovery in purchases by China, and sustained imports by several countries elsewhere in Asia.