Soaring World Beef Prices Hits an All-Time High
In August 2025, the global food price index remained relatively steady, with a slight increase of 0.7 points, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The index reached 130.1 points, marking the highest level since early 2023, indicating a general rise in international food prices.
Despite the overall stability, pork prices remained unchanged, while poultry meat quotes fell due to large export volumes from Brazil. Conversely, lamb prices continued their upward trend, rising for the fifth consecutive month, attributed to reduced export supply in Oceania and increased volumes to more profitable markets, particularly the United Kingdom and the United States.
Beef prices, however, saw a significant increase, setting a new record high in August. The rise was influenced by reduced volumes to the U.S. due to additional tariffs and active demand from the U.S., as well as stable import demand from China. Notably, beef prices did not show any significant changes in the months leading up to August, as reported by the FAO.
The decline in wheat prices was supported by higher yields in the European Union and Russia, leading to significant global supply and weak import demand, particularly from major buyers in Asia and North Africa.
Interestingly, some of Brazil's major trading partners have not lifted import restrictions despite Brazil declaring its poultry farms free from highly pathogenic avian influenza in mid-June. This situation did not seem to have a direct impact on poultry meat prices in August.
The overall meat price index (excluding beef) did not show significant changes in August, remaining virtually unchanged from July. In contrast, the meat price index increased by 5.9 points (4.9%) compared to the same month last year.
The average value of the FAO's meat price index reached a record 128 points in August. However, the decline in the FAO Food Price Index was not influenced by changes in meat prices other than wheat. Cereal prices fell by 0.8% from July and 4.1% from August 2024.
In summary, while global food prices remained relatively stable in August, there were notable changes in the meat market, with lamb and beef prices seeing significant increases, and poultry meat quotes falling due to large export volumes. These trends are expected to continue to shape the global food market in the coming months.
