Global food commodity prices rose slightly in July, driven by higher prices for cereals, sugar and vegetable oils, while lower meat and dairy prices partly offset the increase, according to a report released by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The FAO Food Price Index averaged 131.1 points in July, up 0.6 percent from June and 1.0 percent higher than a year earlier. The FAO said the cereal price index rose 3.4 percent month on month. The vegetable oil price index gained 2.0 percent to its highest level since June 2022, supported by stronger palm oil prices on robust biodiesel demand in Indonesia and higher crude oil prices, as well as firmer soybean oil prices, the report said. The FAO said global food prices remain well below the peak recorded in 2022, but geopolitical tensions and extreme weather continue to put upward pressure on prices of some agricultural commodities.