World food prices break new records

Global food prices have risen in January to a record high. This was reported by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). FAO price index, which includes 55 kinds of food products amounted to 231 points, which is 3,4% more than in December, reports the League, with reference to the Air Force. He rises for the seventh consecutive month. In January, rose in price all included in the index commodities, except meat. Rice prices actually fell, as some countries in recent weeks has been harvested this crop. The index of cereal products reached 245 points, reflecting an increase in wheat prices. Its major exporter Australia is experiencing a severe floods. As economists say, is partly influenced by the appreciation and Russia. Stopping because of the drought wheat exports, it has contributed to the jump in wheat prices, but they significantly affect the pricing of other food categories. "High prices are likely to persist for many months," - said FAO economist Abdolreza Abbasian. The previous price spike, recorded in 2008, sparked protests in some countries. The price index for meat has stabilized at around 166 points - despite the fact that pork and chicken in Europe fell. It happened after the discovery of more dioxin in animal feed on German farms. However, this decline in prices for meat products to compensate for their slightly higher in Brazil and the USA. Remains expensive sugar because of problems with his deliveries. Because of fears that Hurricane Yasi "damaged cane plantations in the north-east coast of Australia, the price of white sugar futures on the London Stock Exchange soared to a record before - $ 835.7 per tonne. It is believed that higher prices for food was the major cause of recent protests in Algeria and Tunisia. Anti-government demonstrations in these countries, the Maghreb spread to neighboring Egypt and Jordan. World Bank President Robert Zoellick called on world leaders to "put food on the first place and think, finally, the problem of instability in prices. "We have to deal with the broader trend of increasing commodity prices, including food prices," - he said.