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

The Middle East conflict could trigger elevated food inflation, as higher fuel, fertiliser and electricity prices push up cost of moving, processing and cooking food. Photograph: Neil Hall/EPA

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.

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.