Global food prices have reached their highest level in three years, driven by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and rising crude oil prices, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The FAO reported that its food price index in April increased by 2 percent compared to the same month last year, marking the steepest rise since 2023.

The organization attributed the surge to higher crude oil prices, which have boosted demand for seed oils in the biofuel industry. At the same time, concerns over reduced seed oil production in Southeast Asia have further pushed prices upward. The FAO also noted that the cost of wheat rose by 0.8 percent due to increased fertilizer prices linked to the war.

The FAO warned that persistently high fertilizer costs could lead farmers to shift toward crops requiring less fertilizer, potentially reducing wheat supply and driving prices even higher in the future.