---
title: "Global food prices hit nearly four-year high in September"
publication: "MediaBias News"
url: "https://mediabias.news/business/global-food-prices-hit-nearly-four-year-high-in-september"
api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/global-food-prices-hit-nearly-four-year-high-in-september"
markdown: "https://mediabias.news/business/global-food-prices-hit-nearly-four-year-high-in-september.md"
audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/global-food-prices-hit-nearly-four-year-high-in-september"
category: "Business & Economy"
published: "2026-10-02T12:25:29.794Z"
source_reported: "2026-10-02T11:54:48.000Z"
updated: "2026-10-02T13:30:09.639Z"
trust_score: 42
critic_score: 61
hype_score: 41
assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis"
fact_check_status: "not-performed"
coverage_measured: "2026-10-02T13:30:08.148037+00:00"
---

# Global food prices hit nearly four-year high in September

*UN agency reports increases driven by cereals, sugar, and vegetable oils amid trade and weather concerns.*

**Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): 

- Trust 42 of 100, higher is better. Central claim attributed to FAO, with a named economist quoted, and two independent outlets.
- Craft 61 of 100, higher is better. Reports include specific figures, dates, and places, and explain why the story matters.
- Hype 41 of 100, lower is better. Headlines promise a four-year high, which is supported by the reporting.

Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology.

**The short version**

- Global food prices rose in September to their highest level in nearly four years, the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported.
- The FAO Food Price Index averaged 136.0 points in September, an increase from 134.0 points in August.
- Price increases were led by cereals, sugar, and vegetable oils, while meat and dairy prices declined.
- FAO Chief Economist Maximo Torero warned that sustained price pressures will affect consumer food prices, particularly in import-dependent nations.

Global food prices increased in September to their highest point in almost four years, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The FAO Food Price Index recorded an average of 136.0 points for the month, up from a revised 134.0 points in August. This marks the highest reading since November 2022.

The rise was primarily attributed to increases in the prices of cereals, sugar, and vegetable oils. Sugar prices reached an 18-month high, influenced by concerns over a potential El Nino weather pattern. Wheat futures also saw a three-year peak due to disruptions in Black Sea trade routes.

In contrast, prices for meat and dairy products saw a decline during September. FAO Chief Economist Maximo Torero stated that these sustained price pressures are likely to translate into higher consumer food prices, especially for countries that rely heavily on imports for food and energy.

The FAO maintained its global cereal production forecast for 2026 at 2.979 billion metric tonnes, a figure that remains 2.1% below the previous year's record but would still represent the second-largest harvest on record. However, the organisation lowered its forecast for world cereal trade in 2026/27 by 0.7%, citing reduced expectations for wheat and maize exports, largely due to constraints in Black Sea shipping routes.

## Disagreement on year-on-year price index increase

The Times of India and Devdiscourse reported that the September index was the highest reading since November 2022. However, ANSA reported that in a year, the price lists have grown 5.8%, while folhanacional.pt and Noticias ao Minuto stated the world price index rose 5.8% in September compared to the same month in 2025. Reporter.gr also noted the index was up 5.8% from September 2025.

## What the coverage left out

None of the left-rated reports covered this story. None of the centre-rated reports mentioned the FAO's forecast for global cereal production for 2026 or its revised forecast for world cereal trade in 2026/27.

## Who covered it

Shares of the 14 covering outlets with a published leaning rating:

- Left: 0% (1)
- Centre: 40% (4)
- Right: 60% (9)

44 of 58 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-10-02T13:30:08.148037+00:00.

**Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 8 times; 1 check found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-10-02T14:15:05.281Z.

## How the sides framed it

### Left

No separate framing summary.

### Centre

- Centre-rated reports led with the overall rise in global food prices to a near four-year high in September, citing the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). They highlighted that logistics disruptions and weather concerns affected crop markets. These reports noted that sugar prices reached an 18-month high and wheat futures hit a three-year peak due to Black Sea trade disruptions. The FAO's statement that sustained price pressures will pass through to consumer food prices, particularly in import-dependent countries, was also a prominent feature.

### Right

- Right-rated reports focused on the headline figure of global food prices reaching their highest level in nearly four years in September, as reported by the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). They frequently mentioned the specific commodities that drove the increase, such as sugar reaching an 18-month high and wheat futures hitting a three-year peak due to Black Sea trade disruptions. The FAO's Food Price Index average of 136.0 points for September was also a common detail. Some reports included the FAO's forecast for global cereal production remaining high.

## Factuality profile of the covering outlets

These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true.

- veryLow: 1
- mixed: 6
- high: 5
- unknown: 44
- veryHigh: 2

## Verification scope

This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true.

## Original reporting this was written from

- [news-pravda.com](https://news-pravda.com/world/2026/10/02/2636367.html) — "The FAO World Food Price Index rose in September amid concerns about weather conditions and transportation disruptions": In September, global food prices showed the strongest increase since the beginning of the year
- [noticiasdegipuzkoa.eus](https://noticiasdegipuzkoa.eus/economia/2026/10/02/precio-mundial-alimentos-escala-maximos-ano-11610409.html) — The World Food Price Has Reached Its Highest Level Since 2022 After an Increase of 5.8% in One Year
- [Noticias de Navarra](https://noticiasdenavarra.com/economia/2026/10/02/precio-mundial-alimentos-escala-maximos-ano-11610407.html) — The World Food Price Has Reached Its Highest Level Since 2022 After an Increase of 5.8% in One Year
- [Deia](https://deia.eus/economia/2026/10/02/precio-mundial-alimentos-escala-maximos-ano-11610408.html) — The World Food Price Has Reached Its Highest Level Since 2022 After an Increase of 5.8% in One Year
- [noticiasdealava.eus](https://noticiasdealava.eus/economia/2026/10/02/precio-mundial-alimentos-escala-maximos-ano-11610406.html) — The World Food Price Has Reached Its Highest Level Since 2022 After an Increase of 5.8% in One Year
- [Iefimerida](https://iefimerida.gr/oikonomia/synagermos-gia-tis-diethneis-times-ton-trofimon) — Alarm over International Food Prices - iefimerida.gr
- [1prime.ru](https://1prime.ru/20261002/indeks-873911805.html) — The Food Price Index Reached Record Levels in September
- [star.gr](https://star.gr/eidiseis/oikonomia/729421/akribeia-se-ypshlo-4etias-oi-times-trofimwn-pagkosmiws) — Global Food Prices at 4-Year High #StarGrNews
- [Xinhua](https://english.news.cn/20261002/2b7be9195542437da91652434c41d719/c.html) — Global food prices hit four-year high in September: FAO
- [moneytimes.com.br](https://moneytimes.com.br/precos-mundiais-dos-alimentos-se-aproximam-de-maxima-de-4-anos-em-setembro-diz-onu-jcav) — World Food Prices Are Approaching Maximum 4 Years in September, Says UN – Money Times
- [tgrthaber.com](https://tgrthaber.com/ekonomi/gida-fiyatlarinda-4-yil-sonra-bir-ilk-tahil-ve-sekerde-sert-yukselis-3362909) — Food Prices See a First in 4 Years: Sharp Rise in Grain and Sugar Prices.
- [g4food.ro](https://g4food.ro/fao-preturile-mondiale-la-alimente-au-ajuns-la-cel-mai-ridicat-nivel-din-ultimii-aproape-patru-ani-ce-produse-s-au-scumpit) — World Food Prices Have Reached the Highest Level in Almost Four Years
- [face.ba](https://face.ba/biznis/rast-cijena-hrane-mogao-bi-se-preliti-i-na-bih-fao-upozorava-na-nove-pritiske/613334) — The Rise in Food Prices Could Spill over to Bosnia and Herzegovina: FAO Warns of New Pressures Face | The only Independent Media House
- [ukragroconsult.com](https://ukragroconsult.com/news/svitovi-cziny-na-myaso-u-veresni-znyzylysya-cherez-deshevshu-svynynu-ta-ptyczyu) — World Meat Prices Fell in September Due to Cheaper Pork and Poultry
- [Agenda do Poder](https://agendadopoder.com.br/precos-mundiais-dos-alimentos-atingem-maior-nivel-em-quatro-anos-diz-onu) — World Food Prices Reach a Higher Level in Four Years, Says UN
- [Cyprus Mail](https://cyprus-mail.com/2026/10/02/world-food-prices-near-four-year-high-in-september-un-says) — World food prices near four-year high in September, UN says
- [Free Malaysia Today News](https://freemalaysiatoday.com/category/business/2026/10/02/world-food-prices-near-4-year-high-in-september) — World food prices near 4-year high in September
- [nin.rs](https://nin.rs/svet/vesti/124830/svetske-cene-hrane-porasle-treci-mesec-zaredom-najvise-za-skoro-cetiri-godine) — World Food Prices Rose for the Third Month in a Row, the Most in Almost Four Years
- [haberglobal.com](https://haberglobal.com/ekonomi/kuresel-gida-fiyatlari-4-yilin-zirvesinde-546919) — Global Food Prices at 4-Year Peak
- [Aktuálně.cz](https://zpravy.aktualne.cz/zahranici/ceny-potravin-ve-svete-stouply-na-nejvyssi-uroven-za-poslednich-nekolik-let/r~aaa295f9b074c81d22039490fbcd650a) — Global Food Prices Have Risen to Their Highest Levels in Years
- [realitatea.md](https://realitatea.md/preturile-mondiale-ale-alimentelor-au-urcat-la-cel-mai-ridicat-nivel-din-ultimii-aproape-patru-ani) — World Food Prices Have Risen to the Highest Level in Almost Four Years
- [Business Times](https://businesstimes.com.sg/international/world-food-prices-near-four-year-high-september-un) — World food prices near four-year high in September: UN
- [bloomberght.com](https://bloomberght.com/kuresel-gida-fiyatlari-dort-yilin-zirvesinde-3790171) — Global Food Prices at a Four-Year High.
- [Economedia.ro](https://economedia.ro/preturile-mondiale-la-alimente-au-ajuns-in-septembrie-la-cel-mai-ridicat-nivel-din-ultimii-aproape-patru-ani-fao.html) — World Food Prices Reached the Highest Level in the Last Almost Four Years in September
- [folhanacional.pt](https://folhanacional.pt/2026/10/02/alimentos-estao-mais-caros-indice-dos-precos-mundiais-sobe-58) — Foods Are More Expensive: World Price Index Rises 5.8% - National Sheet
- [Noticias ao Minuto](https://noticiasaominuto.com/economia/3060715/indice-dos-precos-mundiais-dos-alimentos-da-fao-sobe-5-8-em-setembro) — Foods Are More Expensive: World Price Index Rises 5.8%
- [Reporter.gr](https://reporter.gr/diethnh/diethneis-eidhseis/687225-neo-alma-stis-pagkosmies-times-agrotikon-proionton-ton-septemvrio) — New "Jump" in Global Agricultural Prices in September
- [Karar Gazetesi](https://karar.com/ekonomi-haberleri/kuresel-gida-fiyatlari-son-4-yilin-zirvesinde-2075795) — Global Food Prices Are at Their Highest Level in Four Years.
- [Askanews](https://askanews.it/2026/10/02/fao-indice-prezzi-alimentare-in-crescita-a-settembre) — FAO: Rising Food Price Index in September
- [dunya.com](https://dunya.com/ekonomi/gida-fiyatlarinda-alarm-veren-yukselis-2022den-beri-boylesi-gorulmedi-haberi-842326) — Alarming Rise in Food Prices: Not Seen Since 2022 - Dünya Newspaper
- [republika.mk](https://republika.mk/vesti/svet/fao-svetskite-czeni-na-hranata-porasnaa-tret-mesecz-po-red) — FAO: World Food Prices Rise for Third Month in a Row
- [akta.ba](https://akta.ba/kapital/izvjestaji/208791/cijene-hrane-ponovo-rastu-psenica-skuplja-63-posto-sta-to-znaci-za-bih) — Food Prices Are Rising Again: Wheat Is up 6.3 Percent, What Does This Mean for BiH?
- [CNN Brasil](https://cnnbrasil.com.br/agro/preco-dos-cereais-dispara-e-puxa-alta-dos-alimentos-no-mundo-aponta-fao) — Price of Cereals Shoots and Pulls High Food in the World, Points FAO
- [Times of India](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/international-business/a-costly-bite-global-food-prices-rise-to-their-highest-level-in-nearly-four-years/articleshow/134636246.cms) — A costly bite: Global food prices rise to their highest level in nearly four years
- [NDTV](https://ndtv.com/world-news/world-food-prices-hit-nearly-4-year-high-in-september-un-12129593) — World Food Prices Hit Nearly 4-Year High In September: UN
- [Klix](https://klix.ba/biznis/ekonomija/novi-skok-cijena-hrane-na-globalnom-trzistu-logisticki-poremecaji-i-suse-prijete-novim-poskupljenjima-u-bih/261002088) — A New Jump in Food Prices on the Global Market: Logistical Disruptions and Droughts Threaten New Price Increases in Bosnia and Herzegovina
- [Telegraf – Najnovije vesti](https://biznis.telegraf.rs/novcanik/4407359-cene-hrane-ponovo-rastu-na-najvisem-nivou-od-2022-evo-sta-je-najvise-poskupelo) — Food Prices Rise Again: At the Highest Level Since 2022, Here's What Went up the Most
- [lister24.no](https://lister24.no/nyheter/s/Ab24yr/fn-matvareprisene-har-ikke-vaert-hoeyere-paa-nesten-fire-aar) — UN: Food Prices Have Not Been Higher in Almost Four Years
- [jauns.lv](https://jauns.lv/raksts/arzemes/731382-partikas-cenas-pasaule-sasniedz-augstako-limeni-teju-cetros-gados) — Global Food Prices Reach Highest Level in Almost Four Years
- [pmo.ee](https://pmo.ee/8556974) — Global Food Prices Hit New High in Nearly Four Years in September
- [fosna-folket.no](https://fosna-folket.no/naeringsliv/n/0BEevB/fn-matvareprisene-har-ikke-vaert-hoeyere-paa-nesten-fire-aar) — UN: Food Prices Have Not Been Higher in Almost Four Years
- [ANSA](https://ansa.it/sito/notizie/topnews/2026/10/02/fao-prezzi-alimentari-a-settembre-15-colpa-di-clima-e-interruzioni-commerciali_2f36fd44-f7ba-43bd-8e42-19c65a3ef0e2.html) — Fao, Food Prices in September +1.5% Climate Fault and Commercial Interruptions
- [Nettavisen](https://nettavisen.no/nyheter/fn-matvareprisene-har-ikke-vart-hoyere-pa-nesten-fire-ar/s/80-95-127542) — UN: Food Prices Have Not Been Higher in Almost Four Years
- [Agderposten](https://agderposten.no/nyheter/n/n9g3o5/fn-matvareprisene-har-ikke-vaert-hoeyere-paa-nesten-fire-aar) — Food Prices Have Not Been Higher in Almost Four Years
- [Devdiscourse](https://devdiscourse.com/article/international/3985567-world-food-prices-near-four-year-high-in-september-un-says) — World food prices near four-year high in September, UN says
- [ekonomim.com](https://ekonomim.com/kuresel-ekonomi/kuresel-gida-fiyatlari-4-yilin-zirvesine-cikti-haberi-922145) — Global Food Prices Have Reached a Four-Year High.
- [BizToc](https://biztoc.com/x/5847a8cba7919c42) — World food prices near four-year high in September, UN says
- [WTVB](https://wtvbam.com/2026/10/02/world-food-prices-near-four-year-high-in-september-un-says) — World food prices near four-year high in September, UN says
- [The Straits Times](https://straitstimes.com/world/europe/world-food-prices-near-four-year-high-in-september-un-says) — World food prices near four-year high in September, UN says
- [diarioestrategia.cl](https://diarioestrategia.cl/texto-diario/mostrar/6036828/precio-mundial-alimentos-escala-maximos-desde-2022-segun-fao) — World Food Price Peaks Since 2022, According to FAO
- [Daily Sabah](https://dailysabah.com/business/economy/global-food-prices-approach-4-year-high-in-september-un-says) — Global food prices approach 4-year high in September, UN says
- [Dagens industri](https://di.se/nyheter/fao-hogre-livsmedelspriser-i-september) — FAO: Higher Food Prices in September
- [Naftemporiki](https://naftemporiki.gr/finance/world/2169704/se-ypsilo-tetraetias-oi-times-ton-trofimon-pagkosmios) — Global Food Prices at Four-Year High
- [borskollen.se](https://borskollen.se/nyheter/27/fao-varnar-prischock-pa-mat-efter-storningar-och-vaderkaos) — FAO Warns: Food Price Shock After Disruptions and Weather Chaos
- [Hospodárske Noviny](https://hnonline.sk/finweb/ekonomika/96305649-svetove-ceny-potravin-vystupili-na-takmer-stvorrocne-maximum-tlacia-ich-logisticke-problemy-aj-pocasie) — World Food Prices Have Risen to a Nearly Four-Year High, Pushed Down by Logistical Problems and Weather
- [Folha de S.Paulo](https://redir.folha.com.br/redir/online/emcimadahora/rss091/*https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/mercado/2026/10/precos-dos-alimentos-no-mundo-atingem-maior-patamar-em-quatro-anos-diz-orgao-da-onu.shtml) — Food Prices in the World Reach a Higher Level in Four Years, Says UN Body - 02/10/2026
- [El Economista](https://eleconomista.com.mx/economia/precios-mundiales-alimentos-acercaron-maximos-4-anos-septiembre-fao-20261002-836504.html) — World Food Prices Were Close to 4 Years in September: FAO
- [Reuters](https://reuters.com/markets/us/world-food-prices-near-four-year-high-september-un-says-2026-10-02) — World food prices near four-year high in September, UN says

## Questions

**What caused global food prices to rise in September?**

Global food prices rose in September due to logistics disruptions and weather concerns affecting crop markets. Specifically, increases in cereals, sugar, and vegetable oils drove the overall rise, with sugar prices reaching an 18-month high and wheat futures hitting a three-year peak.

**What is the FAO Food Price Index?**

The FAO Food Price Index tracks monthly changes in the international prices of a basket of food commodities. In September, it averaged 136.0 points, its highest level since November 2022, indicating a near four-year high for global food prices.

**Will these price increases affect consumers?**

FAO Chief Economist Maximo Torero stated that if these price pressures are sustained, they will likely pass through to consumer food prices. This impact is expected to be particularly significant in countries that are dependent on imports for food and energy.

**What is the outlook for global cereal production?**

The FAO maintained its global cereal production forecast for 2026 at 2.979 billion metric tonnes. While this is 2.1% below the previous year's record, it would still represent the second-largest cereal harvest on record. However, the forecast for world cereal trade in 2026/27 was lowered.

---

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