World food prices, which soared in the aftermath of the Ukraine war, have been on the decline for the third consecutive month.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the world food price index for last month was 154.2 points, down 2.3% from the previous month.
The World Food Price Index recorded an all-time high of 159.7 points in March of this year, then fell further to 158.4 points in April and 157.9 points in May, followed by a further decline last month.
However, compared to 135.6 points in January, it is still high, so the price burden for dining tables is expected to continue.
FAO has been monitoring international price trends for 24 items since 1996, and has compiled and published monthly food price indexes for each of the five item groups: grains, oils and fats, meat, dairy products, and sugar.
By item, grain, oil and sugar price indexes declined, but meat and dairy product price indexes rose.
The grain price index for last month was 166.3 points, down 4.1% from the previous month.
Wheat and corn prices have declined as wheat harvests have begun in the northern hemisphere and corn harvests have progressed in Argentina and Brazil.
As for rice, prices have risen, mainly in indica and basmati rice.
Oil and fat recorded 211.8 points, down 7.6% from the previous month.
Palm oil prices fell as supply increased, and sunflower and soybean oil prices fell as a result of suppressed import demand.
For sugar, it was 117.3 points, down 2.6% from the previous month.
However, the meat price index was recorded at 124.7 points, up 1.7% from the previous month.
The price of all meat increased, especially poultry meat, as supply disruption continued due to the effects of the Ukrainian War and the outbreak of avian influenza in the Northern Hemisphere.
The dairy price index was 149.8 points, up 4.1% from the previous month.
In Europe, the heat wave caused production to decline and cheese prices rose, as did the prices of milk powder and butter due to increased demand.