Food Prices

Food prices refer to the average price of particular food commodities. 

This is measured at a global level, but is important to track across regions and countries too – food prices can vary a lot, and changes over time can often give us insights into the underlying markets and agricultural production within countries.

The price of foods gives an important indicator of the balance between agricultural production and market demand.

These prices matter to consumers and producers. They have obvious impacts on consumer affordability. But they also affect the income of farmers and producers.

In low-to-middle-income countries, a large share of the population is employed in agriculture. Producers typically benefit from higher food prices; consumers from lower prices. Food markets can therefore have a strong impact on food affordability, hunger and undernourishment, and dietary quality.

On this page, you can find data, visualizations, and writing on global and country-level food prices and expenditures, the affordability of food, and how this has changed over time.