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Global food prices rose in August due to supply chain disruptions caused by conflicts and climate change across various regions. The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported that this marks the highest level since 2022.
This information was revealed in a report on the global food price situation published by the FAO on Friday.

Citing the report, news agency Reuters stated that the international food price index—measuring the average monthly change in prices—stood at 133.3 points in August, up from a revised 130.8 points in July.

Reuters notes that uncertainty has gripped agricultural markets due to severe heatwaves and droughts in Europe, fears regarding El Niño, and trade instability stemming from conflicts involving Ukraine and Iran. Consequently, food prices have reached a three-year high. The report highlights that this August price hike is the steepest since November 2022. In a statement, FAO Chief Economist Maximo Torero said, “This rise in food prices serves as a warning that market risks are returning. Fears of supply shortages are mounting due to the shocks of climate change, geopolitical tensions, and disruptions to trade and transport systems.” In August, the FAO price indices for cereals, vegetable oils, sugar, meat, and dairy products all increased. The organization noted that adverse weather in Europe negatively impacted sugar production from maize and beets, as well as livestock rearing. Meanwhile, concerns regarding palm oil and sugar production in Asia have grown due to the anticipated impact of El Niño. The report also mentions that grain shipments from Russia and Ukraine have been disrupted by the ongoing conflict, while fertilizer supplies have faced shortages due to tensions involving the US and Iran.

Among the food categories, the FAO Cereal Price Index rose by 2.2 percent compared to the previous month, reaching its highest level since May 2024. The vegetable oil index rose by 0.6 percent, reaching its highest level since June 2022. Meanwhile, the sugar price index surged by 11.9 percent, hitting its highest point since June 2025. In a separate report, the FAO stated that the global grain production forecast for 2026 has been revised down by 3.4 million metric tonnes from the previous estimate to 2.980 billion tonnes; this represents a 2 percent decline compared to 2025 and marks the steepest annual drop since 2018.
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