Source: Rita Jane Gabbett, MEATINGPLACE, 3/7/14


The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations reported its monthly FAO Food Price Index averaged 208.1 points in February 2014, 5.2 points, or 2.6 percent, above a slightly revised index for January, but still 2.1 percent less than one year ago.

Last month’s rebound, the sharpest witnessed since mid-2012, resulted from strengthening quotations of all the commodity groups making up the index, except meat, which fell marginally.

The products that have incurred the strongest rises since last month were sugar, oils, cereals and dairy.

The FAO Meat Price Index averaged 182.6 points in February, only 0.5 points below its revised January level. In general, prices were little changed for the various categories of meat.

Looking at longer-term trends, compared to February 2013, the reduced cost of feed has contributed to some decline in prices for poultry and pork.

For the same period, beef prices are at almost the same level, while limited export supplies have lent support to sheep meat prices, according to FAO.

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