ROME, Italy – Global food commodity prices rose by 1.5 per cent in September compared with August, marking a 5.8 per cent increase year-on-year: this was announced by the FAO, which highlighted the impact of adverse weather conditions and disruptions to international transport. According to the FAO’s chief economist, Maximo Torero, disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and the Black Sea, together with climate-related shocks, are putting increasing pressure on the costs of energy, transport and food commodities. If this situation persists, it could be reflected in consumer prices, particularly in countries most dependent on imports.
Cereals and sugar lead the rises
The Cereal Price Index rose by 5.1 per cent compared with August and by 17.2 per cent compared with September 2025. In particular, wheat prices rose by 6.3 per cent, maize prices by 5.6 per cent and rice prices by 1.4 per cent.
Vegetable oil prices also rose, by 0.9 per cent, whilst the Sugar Index recorded a 6.1 per cent increase, driven by expectations of a reduction in global supplies during the 2026/27 season.
By contrast, prices for pig meat and poultry fell by 1.1 per cent, and those for dairy products by 0.1 per cent.
Global cereal production set to fall in 2026
The FAO also forecasts that global cereal production in 2026 will fall by 2.1 per cent compared with 2025, whilst still remaining the second-largest harvest on record.
Global cereal trade is expected to fall by 3.5 per cent from the record level of 2025/26, with wheat and maize exports affected by restrictions on Black Sea shipping routes and the limited availability of alternative transport.
