Highlights for March 2011
The FAO (global) Food Price Index decreased from its all-time peak in February 2011 but was still 36.6% higher than March 2010. The FAO (global) All Rice Price Index decreased by 1.2% month-on-month but increased by 15.1% year-on-year.
Export price of Thai and Vietnamese white rice, benchmarks for Asia, were stable on a monthly basis but increased by 10.4% and 18.0% respectively, on a yearly basis. Consumer prices were stable as the Consumer Price Index increased 0.6% month-on-month and 3.8% year-on-year.
Wholesale price of mixed rice increased by 1.0% month-on-month, but decreased by 3.8% year-on-year.
Retail price of lowest quality rice increased by 2.6% month-on-month and increased by 0.3% year-on-year.
Food purchasing power of households slightly decreased (ToT of unskilled wages and lowest quality rice decreased from 6.5 kg/day in February to 6.4 kg/day in March).