Global food prices rose in July, driven primarily by rising international prices of meat and vegetable oils.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Food Price Index, a benchmark for world food commodity prices, averaged 130.1 points in July 2025, up 1.6% from June.

Despite this monthly increase, the index remains 18.8% below its peak in March 2022, although 7.6% higher than its level in July 2024, the FAO said.

The index tracks monthly changes in the international prices of a set of globally traded food commodities.

In July, price increases in the meat and vegetable oil indices more than offset declines in the cereal, dairy and sugar indices, according to the FAO.

The FAO meat price index averaged 127.3 points, up 1.2% from June, reaching a new all-time high.

The increase was led by higher prices for bovine and ovine meat, supported by strong import demand, particularly from China and the USA, according to the FAO.

Poultry meat prices also edged up slightly amid resumed imports from key partners following Brazil’s regaining of its avian influenza-free status.

Conversely, pig meat prices declined due to ample supplies and reduced global demand, especially in the EU.

The FAO dairy price index edged down by 0.1% from June to 155.3 points, marking the first decline since April 2024.

Prices for butter and milk powders decreased, reflecting abundant export supplies and subdued import demand, particularly from Asia.

However, international cheese prices continued to rise, driven by strong demand in Asian markets and tighter export availability in the EU.

The FAO cereal price index averaged 106.5 points, down 0.8% from June.

Declining wheat and sorghum prices outweighed increases in maize and barley.

Fresh seasonal wheat harvests in the northern hemisphere put downward pressure, though adverse conditions of spring wheat in parts of northern America provided some price support.

The FAO vegetable oil price index averaged 166.8 points in July, marking a sharp rise of 7.1% from the previous month, reaching a three-year high.

The increase reflected higher quotations for palm, soy and sunflower oils.