(AOF) – The FAO meat price index recorded an average value of 116.3 points in April, or 1.6% more than in March. This is the third monthly increase in a row in the index, which stands at a slightly lower level (0.4%) than a year ago. In April, international prices of poultry meat increased, driven by stable import purchases in Middle Eastern countries amid persistent production problems due to outbreaks of avian flu.
Beef prices also rose as demand remained high among major importers, despite increased supplies from domestic sources in major importing countries.
Sheep meat prices have started to rise slightly again, with market participants expecting a seasonal tightening of supply in Oceania. On the other hand, pork meat prices fell moderately, due to sluggish internal demand in Western Europe and demand remaining sluggish in the main importing countries, particularly in China.
