Featured publications
Journal; magazine; bulletin
Food Price Monitoring and Analysis (FPMA) Bulletin #5, 13 June 2025 - Monthly report on food price trends
13/06/2025
World maize prices declined sharply in May 2025 on improved seasonal availability from Southern Hemisphere harvests and record production prospects...
Journal; magazine; bulletin
Food Price Monitoring and Analysis (FPMA) Bulletin #4, 12 May 2025 - Monthly report on food price trends
12/05/2025
Prices of all major cereals increased slightly in April 2025. Tighter exportable surpluses in some major exporters, currency movements and trade policy...
Journal; magazine; bulletin
Food Price Monitoring and Analysis (FPMA) Bulletin #3, 14 April 2025 - Monthly report on food price trends
14/04/2025
International prices of maize, wheat and rice dropped in March 2025. Rising trade tensions weighed on market sentiment for maize and wheat. Declines...
Journal; magazine; bulletin
Food Price Monitoring and Analysis (FPMA) Bulletin #2, 14 March 2025 - Monthly report on food price trends
14/03/2025
In February 2025, international maize and wheat prices increased due to seasonally tighter supplies and concerns over crop production in key exporting...
Publications
Food Price Monitoring and Analysis (FPMA) Bulletin #9, 11 December 2019
11/12/2019
International prices of wheat generally rose in November although large global supplies capped the increases, those of maize also increased except in the United States of America, where they softened amid a slow pace in export sales. International prices of rice fell to six-month lows, pressured by new crop arrivals and sluggish demand. In Southern Africa, food prices continued to climb steeply in Zimbabwe amidst an economic crisis. Elsewhere, tight supplies and weak currencies continued to exert upward pressure on cereal prices, which were significantly higher on a yearly basis and at record highs in several countries. In East Africa, prices of coarse grains generally increased in November and reached high levels on a yearly basis, with seasonal trends compounded by reduced harvests in several countries and by a difficult macroeconomic situation in the Sudan and South Sudan. In CIS Asia, prices of wheat flour in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan continued to record atypical increases in November, underpinned by higher price quotations in the regional export market.
Food Price Monitoring and Analysis (FPMA) Bulletin #8, 12 November 2019
12/11/2019
International prices of wheat rose in October after declining during the past few months due to strong demand for exports and lower production prospects in key producing countries of the Southern Hemisphere. Prices of maize also increased, supported by reduced supplies in the United States of America and a pick-up in sales from Argentina and Ukraine. By contrast, slow demand and harvest pressure caused international rice prices to subside. In Southern Africa, tight supplies and currency weakness in several countries continued to support prices of the main food staple, maize, which remained at high levels across the subregion. In East Africa, prices of coarse grains in October were at levels well above those a year earlier in several countries of the subregion, mainly due to reduced harvests. In the Sudan and South Sudan, prices of coarse grains remained stable or declined slightly but were still high due to the difficult macroeconomic situation. In CIS Asia, prices of wheat flour in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan recorded atypical increases in October, after several months of relative stability, mainly underpinned by higher price quotations in the regional export market.
Food Price Monitoring and Analysis (FPMA) Bulletin #7, 10 October 19
10/10/2019
International prices of major cereals were steady to mildly lower in September amid large export availabilities. In East Africa, prices of coarse grains in September were at levels well above those a year earlier in several countries of the subregion mainly due to reduced harvests. In the Sudan and South Sudan, the main trigger of high food prices was the strong depreciation of the countries’ currencies. In Southern Africa, prices of cereals continued to rise steeply in Zimbabwe as economic difficulties persist, while in Zambia, prices of maize products reached record highs mostly driven by supply shortages.
Food Price Monitoring and Analysis (FPMA) Bulletin #6, 10 July 2019
10/07/2019
Weather-driven factors pushed up the United States of America export prices of maize to a five-year high in June. International prices of wheat also rose, while those of rice remained generally stable. In East Africa, the ongoing harvests and beneficial late season rains, which improved crop prospects, halted the increasing trend of maize prices registered over the past several months. Prices, however, remained generally well above those a year earlier. In Southern Africa, cereal prices in Zimbabwe surged in May, following a hike in fuel prices, triggered by a weakening currency weakness, coupled with a sharply reduced 2019 harvest. In South America, domestic prices of yellow maize increased in June in key producing and exporting countries, Argentina and Brazil, due to unusually strong international demand and despite the ongoing harvests, expected at a bumper level.
Food Price Monitoring and Analysis (FPMA) Bulletin #5, 11 June 2019
11/06/2019
Export prices of maize from the United States of America increased in May, underpinned by the impact of heavy rains in key growing areas, which also limited the decline in the export prices of wheat. International prices of rice remained generally stable. In East Africa, severe early and mid-season dryness affecting production prospects for the 2019 harvests continued to support the increases in prices of maize in several countries of the subregion. In the Sudan and South Sudan, a halt in currency depreciations contributed to a softer tone in prices of coarse grains in the past month. In Southern Africa, prices of maize came under general downward pressure in May with the start of the 2019 harvests. By contrast, in Zimbabwe, retail prices of maize and wheat flour spiked after upward price revisions by the milling industry, reflecting the continuing depreciation of the country’s currency as well as the sharply reduced production prospects for the 2019 cereal crops.
Food Price Monitoring and Analysis (FPMA) Bulletin #4, 13 May 2019
13/05/2019
International prices of wheat and maize declined further in April, mostly on account of abundant exportable supplies and the good 2019 global production prospects. International prices of rice remained generally stable. In East Africa, concerns over the impact of severe dry and hot weather conditions on the 2019 crops underpinned the sharp increases of maize prices registered in several countries in April. In the Sudan and South Sudan, prices of coarse grains continued to rise, mainly supported by the depreciation of the countries’ currencies. In Southern Africa, sharply diminished 2019 crop prospects and tight supplies continued to sustain increases in the prices of maize, which were at levels well above those a year earlier in most countries of the subregion.
Food Price Monitoring and Analysis (FPMA) Bulletin #3, 10 April 2019
10/04/2019
International prices of wheat and maize fell in March, mostly on account of abundant export supplies. International prices of rice were only mildly firmer, as weak demand by a number of countries capped increases in the Japonica and lower quality Indica markets. In Southern Africa, extensive damage to cropped land and infrastructure caused by Cyclone Idai could trigger temporary food price spikes in Malawi and Mozambique, as well as Zimbabwe, where the unstable economic situation and unfavourable production prospects for the 2019 crop had already underpinned the sharp price increases between October 2018 and February this year. In East Africa, in the Sudan and South Sudan, prices of coarse grains increased in March and reached exceptionally high levels, underpinned by the further depreciation of the countries’ currencies on the parallel market and high production and transport costs.
Food Price Monitoring and Analysis (FPMA) Bulletin #2, 12 March 2019
12/03/2019
International prices of wheat fell in February mainly on account of a weaker pace in exports, while prices of maize generally increased. International prices of rice held steady, with a decline in Indica prices offsetting increases in those of Japonica varieties. In Southern Africa, tight supplies from the 2018 reduced outputs and uncertain 2019 production prospects continued to provide upward pressure to the prices of maize in most countries of the subregion. In Zimbabwe, prices of food remained at elevated levels, supported by the lingering effects of economic shocks, including significantly higher raising production costs and causing supply shortages. In East Africa, in the Sudan and South Sudan, currency depreciations and high production costs continued to underpin food price increases, pushing them to extremely high levels in February. In Somalia, recent crop losses supported the prices of coarse grains, which remained, however, lower than a year earlier.
Food Price Monitoring and Analysis (FPMA) Bulletin #1, 12 February 2019
12/02/2019
International prices of wheat remained firm in January due to tightening export supplies and robust world demand, while concerns over the impact of adverse weather on crops in South America underpinned maize export price quotations. International prices of rice also rose, mainly due to reviving Asian demand for Japonica rice. In East Africa, in the Sudan and South Sudan, the weak national currencies provided upward support to the prices of staple foods and kept them at levels well above those a year earlier. High production and transport costs also contributed to the higher level of prices. In Southern Africa, seasonal price increases of maize were amplified in several countries by the reduced 2018 production outturns, while in Zimbabwe, a drop in the value of the country’s currency and a shortage of foreign exchange were the main drivers of the surge in food prices late last year.
Food Price Monitoring and Analysis (FPMA) Bulletin #10, 10 December 2018
10/12/2018
International prices of wheat and maize remained under downward pressure in November, mostly on account of large nearby supplies. For rice, new crop arrivals continued to weigh on export price quotations. In East Africa, in the Sudan, a further sharp devaluation of the currency triggered a marked increase in the prices of grains, which reached record to near-record highs despite the ongoing harvest. In Southern Africa, in Zimbabwe, a drop in the value of the country’s currency, as well as a shortage of foreign exchange, curbed imports and underpinned the increases in cereal prices. Elsewhere in the subregion, reduced 2018 harvests pushed the prices of maize to levels above those recorded a year earlier in several countries.
Food Price Monitoring and Analysis (FPMA) Bulletin #9, 9 November 2018
09/11/2018
International prices of wheat in October were supported by concerns over a tighter global supply outlook, while those of maize in the United States of America rose, mostly supported by large sales for export. By contrast, export prices of rice were generally weaker on account of harvest pressure, export competition and currency movements. In Asia, in the Philippines, the start of the 2018 main season harvest halted the upward trend of rice prices of the past several months on the backdrop of low public inventories and increased fuel costs. Prices, however, remained at record or near-record highs, well above their levels in October 2017. In Central America, prices of white maize dropped markedly in October, mainly as a result of improved market availabilities from the 2018 main season harvest. Prices, however, remained well above their year-earlier values in most countries, particularly in Nicaragua, following the sustained increases since the beginning of 2018.
Food Price Monitoring and Analysis (FPMA) Bulletin #6, 12 July 2018
12/10/2018
International prices of wheat and maize fell in June despite generally worsening production prospects. By contrast, in the rice markets, higher quotations of Japonica and fragrant rice outweighed the declines in Indica rice prices. In East Africa, prices of grains in the Sudan remained at record highs in June due to concerns that 2018 plantings would be reduced by shortages and high prices of fuel and inputs, as well as a sharp depreciation of the local currency and the removal of subsidies. Similarly, a continuing currency depreciation, coupled with tight supplies and insecurity, contributed to keeping food prices at exceptionally high levels in South Sudan. In Central America, prices of white maize continued to increase seasonally in June, particularly in Nicaragua, where the ongoing social unrest contributed to push prices to near-record highs. In South America, prices of yellow maize remained stable and well above their year-earlier levels in Argentina and Brazil, despite the ongoing 2018 maize harvests, mainly due to expectations of reduced outputs. Prices of wheat continued to increase due to seasonally tight supplies and weakening currencies stimulating exports.
Food Price Monitoring and Analysis (FPMA) Bulletin #8, 10 October 2018
10/10/2018
International prices of wheat fell in September, pressured by stronger export competition. Prices of maize also declined, reflecting expectations of a large crop in the United States of America. Export prices of rice generally declined. In East Africa, prices of grains remained at levels well below those a year earlier, with the notable exceptions of the Sudan and South Sudan, due to the depreciation of the local currencies and high production and transport costs. In Central America, dry weather-induced losses to the main season crops continued to provide upward pressure to prices of white maize in most countries of the subregion, particularly in Nicaragua, where prices rose sharply in September to record highs, more than double their values a year earlier. In South America, in Argentina and Brazil, the sharp depreciation of the domestic currencies, which has boosted exports, contributed to support prices of grains in September and kept them at levels well above those a year earlier.
Food Price Monitoring and Analysis (FPMA) Bulletin #7, 17 September 2018
17/09/2018
International prices of wheat increased in August, underpinned by deteriorating crop prospects and tightening export availabilities. Prices of maize rose for the first time in three months, while rice quotations eased amid generally subdued demand. In East Africa, prices of grains in the Sudan rose further to record highs in August, underpinned by the removal of wheat subsidies, a strong depreciation of the local currency and increased transport costs. Elsewhere in the subregion, prices generally declined and were at levels well below those a year earlier in most countries. In Central America, prices of white maize increased significantly and reached levels well above those a year earlier in most countries of the subregion mainly due to the adverse impact of dry weather on harvest prospects for the 2018 main season crops.
Food Price Monitoring and Analysis (FPMA) Bulletin #5, 11 June 2018
11/06/2018
Export prices of maize from the United States of America increased in May, underpinned by the impact of heavy rains in key growing areas, which also limited the decline in the export prices of wheat. International prices of rice remained generally stable. In East Africa, severe early and mid-season dryness affecting production prospects for the 2019 harvests continued to support the increases in prices of maize in several countries of the subregion. In the Sudan and South Sudan, a halt in currency depreciations contributed to a softer tone in prices of coarse grains in the past month. In Southern Africa, prices of maize came under general downward pressure in May with the start of the 2019 harvests. By contrast, in Zimbabwe, retail prices of maize and wheat flour spiked after upward price revisions by the milling industry, reflecting the continuing depreciation of the country’s currency as well as the sharply reduced production prospects for the 2019 cereal crops.
Food Price Monitoring and Analysis (FPMA) Bulletin #4, 10 May 2018
10/05/2018
International prices of wheat and maize in April were generally higher, supported by weather concerns in key producing countries and brisk trade. International prices of rice increased in response to renewed import demand in Asia. In East Africa, in the Sudan, prices of staple foods, millet, sorghum and wheat, remained firm or increased in April and were at record or near-record highs, underpinned by a weak currency, the removal of wheat subsidies and increased transport costs. In Central America, prices of white maize increased sharply in March and April and reached levels well above those a year earlier in most countries of the subregion. Seasonal upward pressure was supported by higher purchasing prices from the milling industry, trends in the international market and increased fuel costs. In South America, prices of yellow maize and wheat continued to increase in Argentina, underpinned by strong demand and forecasts of lower crops this year. Prices of maize rose sharply also in Brazil, due to large exports and expectations of a decline in the 2018 harvests; those of wheat increased following the sharply reduced production last year and costlier imports.
Food Price Monitoring and Analysis (FPMA) Bulletin #3, 10 April 2018
10/04/2018
International prices of wheat and maize rose in March for the third consecutive month and averaged more than 10 percent above their levels in December 2017. Prices were mainly supported by concerns over the impact of prolonged dryness in key-growing areas of the United States of America and Argentina, coupled with strong demand. International rice prices remained relatively stable. In South America, severe dry weather and strong demand underpinned the domestic prices of grains in key exporting country, Argentina, while the price of yellow maize spiked also in Brazil in March. In East Africa, in the Sudan, the strong upward surge in prices of coarse grains faltered in March but they remained at record or near-record highs, reflecting the removal of the wheat subsidies and the strong depreciation of the local currency. In Southern Africa, in Madagascar, prices of locally-produced and imported rice declined in February from the record highs reached in January with the harvesting of the minor season paddy crop and following an appreciation of the Malagasy Ariary.
Food Price Monitoring and Analysis (FPMA) Bulletin #1, 13 February 2018
13/02/2018
International prices of wheat and maize were generally firmer in January, supported by weather-related concerns and a weaker US dollar. Export price quotations of rice also strengthened mainly buoyed by renewed Asian demand. In East Africa, in the Sudan, prices of the main staples: sorghum, millet and wheat, rose sharply for the third consecutive month in January and reached record highs, underpinned by the removal of wheat subsidies and the strong depreciation of the Sudanese Pound. In West Africa, prices of coarse grains were at relatively high levels in January, despite the good harvests gathered in late 2017, due to strong demand for stock replenishment and insecurity in some areas.
Food Price Monitoring and Analysis (FPMA) Bulletin #11, 11 December 2017
11/12/2017
International prices of wheat and maize remained relatively stable in November, reflecting good supply conditions, while export quotations of rice strengthened amid increased buying interest and currency movements. In East Africa, prices of cereals in November continued to decline in most countries with the ongoing 2017 harvests and were at levels around or below those a year earlier with a few exceptions. By contrast, in the Sudan, prices surged and reached record highs in some markets, mainly underpinned by the sharp depreciation of the Sudanese Pound in the parallel market. In Central America, prices of white maize eased in November as market flows returned to normal, after disruption caused by severe rains in the previous month. Good domestic availabilities kept prices at levels below those a year earlier.
Food Price Monitoring and Analysis (FPMA) Bulletin #10, 10 November 2017
10/11/2017
The benchmark US wheat price declined in October mostly because of higher supply prospects while maize quotations firmed due to rain-induced harvest delays. International rice prices strengthened in October, mainly reflecting seasonally tight Japonica and fragrant supplies. In East and West Africa, cereal prices declined in October with the 2017 ongoing or recently-started harvests. However, concerns over crop outputs and civil insecurity kept prices at high levels in some countries, particularly in Ethiopia, Nigeria and South Sudan. In Central America, heavy rains in October led to unseasonal increases in maize and bean prices. They remained, however, at levels well below those a year earlier as a result of adequate domestic supplies, following the overall good outputs in 2016 and the 2017 first season harvests.