---
title: "Middle East Conflict Weighs on Global Food Prices, FAO Says"
type: "News"
locale: "en"
url: "https://longbridge.com/en/news/281623571.md"
description: "Global food prices rose in March, driven by higher energy prices and increased freight costs due to the Middle East conflict. The FAO's food commodity price index averaged 128.5 points, a 2.4% increase from February, marking the second consecutive month of gains. This rise indicates persistent food inflation as the conflict disrupts supply chains and raises costs for energy and fertilizers. Notable increases were observed in vegetable oil and sugar prices, with meat, dairy, and cereals also experiencing price hikes."
datetime: "2026-04-03T09:30:57.000Z"
locales:
  - [zh-CN](https://longbridge.com/zh-CN/news/281623571.md)
  - [en](https://longbridge.com/en/news/281623571.md)
  - [zh-HK](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/281623571.md)
---

# Middle East Conflict Weighs on Global Food Prices, FAO Says

Global food prices rose in March, driven by higher energy prices and an increase in freight costs linked to war in the Middle East.

An index of food commodity prices created by the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization averaged 128.5 points in March, up 3 points from February, as disruptions from the Iran war ripple through food supply chains.

The 2.4% increase in the gauge — which tracks grains, sugar, meat, dairy and vegetable oil costs — marks the second consecutive month of gains, having for the first time in five months in February.

While the index monitors raw commodity costs rather than retail prices, the increase signals food inflation may persist as conflict in the Middle East lifts energy and fertilizer costs, as well as disrupts flows of grains and key inputs through the Strait of Hormuz.

The largest gains were seen in vegetable oil and sugar prices, though figures for meat, dairy and cereals also climbed.

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