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World food prices edged slightly higher in November, breaking a seven-month stretch in which they dropped each month but still continuing a recent period of stabilization, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said Thursday.
The index rose a mere 0.1 percent to 192.6 points, compared to 192.3 points in October. Despite the small rise, prices were still 6.4 percent below their levels a year ago.
The grains and cereals commodity group rose 2.6 percent for the month, as demand for corn and wheat grew, offsetting a drop in rice prices.
Oils and fats saw prices rise 0.7 percent, while dairy prices fell 3.4 percent and sugars fell 3.2 percent. Meat prices were unchanged from October.
FAO officials said prices were likely to remain stable in the near term.
The next installment of the FAO index, which is based on a basket of 55 goods and 73 price quotations in five major food commodity groups, will be released on Jan. 8.
