This quarterly bulletin features agricultural trade policy changes in the region. It provides current trade measures, agreements, statistics and articles by experts covering trade-related issues in countries across the region, and it is sent to members of the Agricultural Trade Expert Network. The network connects experts from Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia as part of the FAO’s Regional Initiative 2 in Europe and Central Asia “Transforming food systems and...

Global wheat export prices stabilized in April 2024 after declining for three consecutive months, while maize prices increased month‑on-month. International rice prices declined by 1.8 percent in April, largely due to harvest pressure. In most countries monitored by FAO, staple food prices remained at historically high levels in March and April 2024. In many countries, macroeconomic difficulties and high food distribution costs continue to drive elevated prices of both domestically...

Avocados, like other tropical fruits, are susceptible to food loss and waste due to their high moisture content and perishable nature. Factors including climate change, inadequate infrastructure and handling during harvesting, packaging and transportation increase the risk of food loss, impacting fruit supply and quality. Embracing strategies to reduce losses and maximize the use of non-marketable and damaged avocado fruit and residues is a win-win for businesses and global sustainability...

The 13th Ministerial Conference of the WTO (MC13) took place from 26 February to 2 March 2024 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The Conference was chaired by the Minister of State for Foreign Trade of the host country. Agriculture and fisheries subsidies were once more at the centre of the deliberations, but no concrete outcome was possible due to differences and divergence of positions among Members

Weather extremes between November 2023 and March 2024 resulted in massive livestock deaths, especially in eastern and central parts of the country. Livelihoods of most herders have been affected, warranting the urgent need for humanitarian assistance to prevent a severe deterioration of their food security situation. Domestic prices of basic food staples have reached very high levels, constraining access to food for most vulnerable households.

The April issue of the publication summarizes the salient trends and drivers of market developments and significant public policy changes in 2023. The review shows that world meat production increased in 2023, reflecting production increases across all meat types, driven by favourable production conditions in some producing regions. The review also illustrates that international trade in meat products contracted, reflecting increased national production and high inventories in leading importing countries...

El Niño-linked drought has caused widespread crop damage and wilting in Southern Africa, with 2024 harvests expected at below-average levels. Import requirements forecast to increase steeply and supplies likely to be sourced from outside of the Southern African region. The number of acutely food insecure people is expected to escalate in 2024/25.

FAO’s Responsible Business Conduct Quarterly Bulletin (RBC-Q) shares events and resources on FAO’s activities on Responsible Global Value Chains and news from around the world related to business, risk and development in the agricultural sector. It is prepared by FAO’s Markets and Trade Division (EST). This issue of the bulletin covers the period January–March 2024.

The April issue of the publication summarizes the salient trends and drivers of market developments in 2023. The review finds that international dairy prices weakened significantly in 2023. Additionally, global milk production expanded at a slightly faster pace in 2023 and international dairy trade contracted for the second consecutive year, albeit slower than the previous year.

International wheat prices declined in March 2024, amid ample global supplies, relatively favourable conditions of crops still to be harvested and strong competition on international markets, while global maize prices firmed marginally. International rice prices fell by 1.7 percent in March, largely due to subdued import demand. FAO’s analysis of the latest available data shows that, in most countries, domestic staple food prices remained elevated in February and March 2024 compared to...