Between December 2013 and the same month in 2016, the average price of a kilo of imported wheat and meslin fell from $0.39 to $0.24.
Figures from the information system on the Wheat and Meslin Market in Central America, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with the graph"]
As in March, the values of all products in the FAO food index fell in April, with the exception of meat prices.
From a statement issued by the World Food Organization:
» The FAO Food Price Index* (FFPI) averaged 168.0 points in April 2017, down 3.1 points (1.8 percent) from March, but still 15.2 points (10 percent) higher than in April 2016.
The decline in the FAO food price index in November was due to a sharp fall in sugar prices, which more than offset a sharp spike in prices of vegetable oils.
From a statement issued by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization:
The FAO Food Price Index* (FFPI) averaged 171.3 points in November 2016, only 0.4 percent below its October level, but still 10.4 percent higher than in November 2015. The month-to-month small decline marked a departure from an almost uninterrupted rising trend in the Index since the start of the year. November’s easing was driven by a sharp dip in sugar prices, which more than offset a strong rebound in the prices of vegetable oils.
Behavior and price trends in production of white corn, black and red beans, wheat and rice in Mesoamerica and the Caribbean in June 2016.
From the Regional report on the Basic Grains Market in June 2016:
In Mesoamerica and the Caribbean in May 2016 white maize prices showed stable trends compared to April 2016, despite declining regional supply due to the completion of harvests and reduced inventories from 2015, but these were offset by world imports.In beans, stable prices were observed, not greatly affected by the losses in Apante and with a slight reduction in prices in Costa Rica and Mexico.In general, black bean prices have been favored by imports, and the use of substitute products as in the case in Haiti. Rice prices have remained stable in most countries, except Haiti where there was an increase due to the depreciation of Haitian local currency.
Behavior of markets and prices in February 2016 of beef, cattle, gold, rice, coffee, sugar, corn and wheat.
From a report by the Central Bank of Nicaragua:
Behavior of markets and prices of major commodities up to February 2016:
Coffee: Coffee futures price in February fell by 0.8 from the previous month, standing at 116.4 cents per pound. Similarly, the price was lower by 25.1% in annual terms.
A 4% drop in corn production is projected for the crop yield for 15/16 compared to 14/15.
From the monthly report by the International Grains Council:
Revisions for wheat, barley and sorghum lift the forecast for world total grains (wheat and coarse grains) production in 2015/16 by 9m t m/m (month-on-month), to 1,996m, 1% short of last season’s record.
The Superintendency of Competition in El Salvador has pointed out that the businesses MOLSA and HARISA are still forging agreements on sharing the market, having been previously sanctioned for the practice.
Six years after being punished for engaging in anticompetitive practices, the companies MOLSA and HARISA are again under scrutiny by the competition regulator, whose head submitted documents "...
An overproduction of corn, wheat and rice in China and a record crop which is expected this year in the United States will continue to push international prices down.
While drought in Central America ravages crops of basic grains such as corn, it is estimated that this year China will have a reserve of 150 million tons of grain, "... including three of the most important crops in China: rice, wheat and corn.
As part of its plan to invest $15 million in two years, Agroindustrias Gumarsal will build a mill to process wheat and maize flour.
The processor and marketer of flour considers that the conditions are favorable for the economy and the agribusiness sector and plans to begin operating the new mill this month, which will be added to the already operating onein San Juan de Opico.
The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture should not overreact to current price conditions, avoiding trade-distorting policies.
A statement from the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) reads:
IICA: Rising prices of agricultural products is temporary
The increase in prices for corn, soybeans and wheat will not cause a food crisis in Latin America and the Caribbean, as occurred in 2007-2008, says a report by the Institute.
The Superintendence of Competition in El Salvador has initiated an investigation into alleged anticompetitive practices in the market for the production and distribution of wheat flour.
A statement by the Superintendency of Competition (SC) reads:
SC investigates wheat flour market
The Superintendency of Competition (SC) has declared as inadmissible complaints filed, one by MOLSA and one by GUMARSAL, for alleged anticompetitive practices in the market for the production and distribution of wheat flour. However, the Superintendent will initiate a preliminary investigation in order to obtain the earliest possible elements that could constitute evidence for the commission of anticompetitive practices.
The prices of products derived from these grains have gone up, with supply having been severely affected by the worst drought in the U.S. in the last 25 years.
An article in Nacion.com reports on the rapid changes that the international price of soybeans, corn and wheat have suffered in the last month:
"Corn went from $572.88 per metric ton, on 24 June, to $814.30 a ton at the close of yesterday on the U.S.
The uncertain outlook for world production of cereals and oilseeds dominated trading activity during the month of May, intensifying price volatility.
A report from the International Grains Council to May 24, 2012 states:
There was an associated marked strengthening of the US dollar,
contributing to movements in dollar-denominated export quotations. While prospects for world wheat production were initially considered mostly
The U.S. grant represents an estimated $ 6.5 million and will be used to finance various projects.
The proceeds of the sale from the wheat under the "Food for Progress" program, will be used to fund projects to promote food export, agricultural diversification and improvement of laboratory facilities and infrastructure of the Ministry of Agriculture, indicates Laprensagrafica.com.