The FAO meat price index averaged 128.0 points in August, 0.7 points (0.6%) higher than in July and 5.9 points (4.9%) above its level a year ago, reaching a new all-time high. The increase was driven by rising beef and sheepmeat prices, which offset the near stability of pigmeat quotations and the decline in poultry meat prices.
International beef prices reached a record due to strong demand from the United States, which pushed quotations higher in Australia, and firm import demand from China, which kept Brazilian export prices stable despite reduced sales to the US after the imposition of additional tariffs.
Sheepmeat prices rose for the fifth consecutive month because of limited export supply from Oceania and greater volumes being directed to more lucrative markets, particularly the United States and the United Kingdom.
World pigmeat prices remained nearly unchanged amid a balance between global supply and demand.
By contrast, poultry meat quotations fell due to pressure from abundant exportable supplies in Brazil. Import restrictions maintained by some of its main trade partners following the avian influenza outbreak continued to weigh on demand.
Meanwhile, the overall FAO food price index averaged 130.1 points in August 2025, virtually unchanged from the revised July level of 130.0 points. Declines in cereal and dairy price indices were offset by increases in meat, sugar, and vegetable oil indices.
