The August rise in world food prices was a record for 15 months, according to a press release from the FAO (food and agriculture organization of the UN).

In August the average value of food price index FAO amounted to 165.6 points, or 3 points (1.9 percent) higher than in July and almost 7% higher than the corresponding period last year. The value of the index in August is the highest since may 2015, reads a press release. The most expensive dairy products, butter and sugar.

The price index for cereals amounted to 143,6 points, which is 4.5 points (3%) below the July index and 7.4% below the level of last year.

The price index for vegetable oils last month amounted to 169.1 points and grew by 11.7 points (7.4%) compared to July. Thus was interrupted observed in the last three months the tendency to some reduction of prices.

The price index for dairy products made 154,6 points, 12.3 points (8.6%) higher than in July and 14% lower than last year. The most expensive cheese, dry whole milk, and butter.

The meat price index in August was 162.2 points, or 0.5 point (-0.3%) above the revised July level and 5 points below the level of August 2015.

The index of prices for sugar amounted to 285,6 point, which is 6.9 points (2.5%) above the July figure is the highest reading since October 2012. It is 75% exceeds the figures of the corresponding period last year.

The food price index of FAO is the average index, which tracks prices of five major groups of food commodities on international markets: cereals, meat, dairy products, vegetable oils and sugar.