Food prices spiked in March as Middle East conflict drove up energy costs, UN says

<p>Biggest rises were in vegetable oil and sugar prices, which increased by 5% and 7% respectively</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/03/visual-guide-gulf-fertiliser-blockade">Visual guide to the Gulf fertiliser blockade</a></p></li></ul><p>Food prices rose sharply in March as war in the Middle East drove up energy prices and freight costs around the world, a UN report says.</p><p>An index of food commodity prices by the UN’s food and agriculture organisation increased by 2.4% in March, its second consecutive monthly rise.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/apr/03/food-prices-spike-march-middle-east-conflict-drove-energy-prices-up-un-says">Continue reading...</a>