Global food prices rose in March, driven by higher cooking oil prices, despite grains becoming cheaper. The UN's Food and Agricultural Organization reported a 1.1% increase in its Food Price Index to 118.3 points, the first rise since July. Vegetable oils surged 8.0%, dairy prices climbed 2.9%, and meat prices rose 1.7%. However, cereals prices fell 2.6% and sugar prices dropped 5.4%. The increase in food prices comes after a period of decline following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.