National & World Ag News Headlines United Nations Say Global Food Prices Still Too High USAgNet - 05/04/2012 Global food prices measured by the FAO Food Price Index fell three points or 1.4 percent from March to April 2012 but seem to have stabilized at a relatively high level of 214 points, FAO said. The fall was the first after three consecutive months of increases and although the index is significantly down from its record level of 235 points in April 2011, it is still well above the figures of under 200 which preceded the 2008 food crisis. The index was published in the latest FAO Food Outlook, a global market analysis which comes out twice a year. It noted that the prospects for the second half of this year and into the next indicate generally improved supplies and continuing strong demand. Consequently the global food import bill in 2012 could decline to $1.24 trillion, down slightly from last year's record of $1.29 trillion Food Outlook said. The forecast for cereals production was for a modest expansion in 2012 to a new record of 2 371 million tonnes compared to 2 344 million tonnes in 2011. However, within the cereals sector, wheat production in 2012 is anticipated to fall by 3.6 percent compared to 2011, to 675 million tonnes, with the largest declines forecast for Ukraine, followed by Kazakhstan, China, Morocco and the EU. The expected decrease coincides with prospects of a slight reduction in total wheat utilization in the 2012/13 marketing season. World sugar output in 2011/12 is set to increase by close to 8 million tonnes, or 4.6 percent over 2010/11, reaching nearly 173 million tonnes. For the second consecutive year, production is anticipated to surpass consumption, with a surplus expected of some 5.4 million tonnes helping to rebuild relatively low stock levels. Driven exclusively by gains in poultry and pigmeat production, global meat output is set to expand by nearly 2 percent to 302 million tonnes in 2012. Most of the sector growth is likely to originate in developing countries. An ongoing struggle for markets is expected to intensify in 2012 as increased production in key importing countries slows down global meat trade expansion. This, combined with limited supplies in developed exporting countries, is shifting international market shares towards developing countries, in particular Brazil and India. World milk production in 2012 is forecast to grow by 2.7 percent to 750 million tonnes. Asia is expected to account for most of the increase, but higher output is anticipated in most regions. World trade in dairy products is expected to continue expanding in 2012. Demand remains firm, with imports anticipated to reach 52.7 million tonnes of milk equivalent. Asia will continue to be the main market, followed by North Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America and the Caribbean. Send this article to a friend Other National Headlines Senators Consider Cuts in Crop Insurance Mexico: U.S. Not Respecting WTO Ruling on Meat Labeling China's Pork Price Rebounds After Government Boost African Poultry Group Denies Tariff Would Cause Inflation Report Finds Farming is Still Very Dangerous Occupation Dairy Outlook Report: Class III Price Should Remain $18+ All Year Farmers Make Good Progress on Spring Wheat Planting Copyright © 2013 - USAgNet.com. All Rights Reserved.