UN points to rise in food prices due to conflict in Middle East

ROME, April 3. /TASS/. The Food Price Index tracked by the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) increased in March amid a rise in energy prices driven by the conflict in the Middle East, the UN agency said in a statement. "The FAO Food Price Index, which tracks monthly changes in the international prices of a basket of globally-traded food commodities, averaged 128.5 points in March, up 2.4% from February and 1.0% above its level a year ago," the statement reads. According to FAO, fertilizer supply disruptions and high energy prices add uncertainty to markets, despite a broadly comfortable global cereal supply situation.