Rome - (dpa) - The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported that cereal prices continued to rise in global markets during the month of May.

The FAO said in a statement that international wheat prices rose last month by 5.6 percent for the fourth month in a row, bringing the average increase to 56.2 percent compared to the average increase last year.

The FAO added that this sharp increase in wheat prices is due to the export ban announced by India amid concerns about crop conditions in several major exporting countries, as well as lower production prospects in Ukraine due to the war.

The FAO indicated that the international prices of coarse grains declined by 2.1% during the month of May, but they are still at high levels of 18.1%. compared to last year's levels.

The FAO Food Price Index decreased slightly last May compared to April at 157.4 points, but it is still at high levels of 29.2% compared to last year's levels.

The FAO explained that the vegetable oil price index declined last May, while it remained "significantly higher than its level a year ago."
The FAO noted that the dairy price index witnessed a slight decline, the first in eight months, but it is still at high levels of 16.9%. compared to last year's levels.

The FAO concluded its statement by noting that the meat price index rose by 0.5% in May compared to April, reaching an all-time high "driven by the sharp rise in global poultry meat prices".