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  • Publication | 2025

Food Price Monitoring and Analysis (FPMA) Bulletin #5, 13 June 2025

Global Food and Nutrition Security

World maize prices declined sharply in May 2025 on improved seasonal availability from Southern Hemisphere harvests and record production prospects in the United States of America. Wheat prices also declined, underpinned by improved crop conditions in some major exporting countries and the effect of trade policy changes in Argentina and the Russian Federation. By contrast, international rice prices increased, influenced by firm demand for fragrant varieties and currency appreciations against the United States dollar in some exporting countries. In most domestic markets monitored by FAO, conflicts, currency fluctuations and extreme weather events continued to be the main drivers of staple food price changes in April and May 2025. Ongoing harvests supported seasonal declines in maize prices in Southern Africa and South America as well as in rice prices in Far East Asia and South America. Ample market wheat supplies helped maintain lower price levels in Far East Asia and South America. By contrast, strong domestic demand supported wheat flour prices in net‑wheat‑importing countries in East Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia, while recent subsidy reductions kept wheat flour prices elevated in parts of the Near East and North Africa. Prices of coarse grains remained high in parts of West and East Africa, driven primarily localized production shortfalls, depreciating national currencies, and rising fuel and transport costs.