The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Food Price Index rose to 131.1 points in July 2026, its highest level since January 2023. Cereal prices went up 3.4%, led by a 5.8% jump in wheat because of heat damage and worries over Black Sea shipments. Vegetable oil prices increased 2%, and sugar rose 5.6% on weather concerns and stronger ethanol demand. On the other hand, meat prices slipped 2.8% from June's record, and dairy fell 0.7%. FAO attributed the overall increase to extreme weather, heatwaves, drought and conflicts disrupting food output and trade.