The FAO Food outlook: biannual report on global food market was released on 2 June. The report highlights that global food commodity markets are on a stable path for the year ahead, with solid production prospects and abundant stocks pointing to a broadly stable outcome for prices and supplies.

Lower food prices than last year means that the world's food import bill are on course to fall to $986 billion this year - below $1 trillion for the first time since 2009 - even as traded volumes increase.

The new report includes a special feature, Pulses: A multifaceted crop. The section analyses pulses from several perspectives namely production, consumption and international trade. It also highlights challenges and opportunities of these crops in light of their key role in achieving food security, improving health and nutrition. In addition, pulses have a high biodiversity value and are a crucial ally in climate change adaptation and mitigation.