Global food commodity prices rose in July due to heatwaves and conflicts, FAO reports

August 7, 15:29

According to a report published Friday by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, prices for staple food commodities showed a slight increase in July. This rise was driven by increased costs for grains, sugar, and vegetable oils, although the decrease in meat and dairy prices partially offset the overall increase.

The FAO food price index in July stood at an average of 131.1 points, which is 0.6% higher than in June and 1% more than a year ago. Nevertheless, this figure remains 18.2% below the record high reached in March 2022.

The grain price index rose by 3.4% compared to the previous month. Wheat prices increased by 5.8% amid concerns about disrupted exports from the Black Sea, as well as due to heatwaves affecting major production regions. Corn prices rose by 3.6% due to hot and dry weather in some areas of the US Corn Belt and strengthening energy markets. Meanwhile, rice prices remained relatively stable.

The vegetable oil price index increased by 2%, reaching its highest level since June 2022. The rise was supported by higher palm oil prices, caused by high demand for biodiesel in Indonesia, as well as rising crude oil prices and more stable soybean oil prices.

Sugar prices rose by 5.6% compared to June. This is linked to concerns about hot and dry weather in Europe, risks of adverse weather conditions in major Asian producing countries, and expectations that Brazil's higher ethanol blending requirements will redirect more sugarcane to ethanol production.

At the same time, the FAO report reported a decrease in meat and dairy price indices by 2.8% and 0.7%, respectively.

FAO emphasized that despite global food prices remaining significantly below the 2022 peak, geopolitical tensions and extreme weather conditions continue to exert upward pressure on the cost of certain agricultural goods.

www.aajtak.inAugust 9, 10:39

Engineer explains why a salary of 500 thousand rupees per year does not guarantee wealth in Bangalore

A common belief that an annual income of 500 thousand rupees allows a person to become wealthy is refuted by one of the engineers from Bangalore. He argues that due to the constantly rising cost of living in the city, even someone with such a high income cannot accumulate significant wealth.

A technical specialist from Bangalore, Anmol Agrawal, shared this observation in a video he posted on Instagram. His video quickly went viral on social media because it explains why achieving wealth becomes difficult despite a high salary.

In his video, Anmol demonstrates that it is hard to get rich in Bangalore relying solely on work, regardless of whether you earn 500 thousand or 700 thousand rupees a year. He gives an example: if the base annual salary is 500 thousand rupees, after deducting taxes and EPF contributions, a person is left with about 350 thousand rupees, which is equivalent to approximately 300 thousand rupees per month.

According to Anmol, the rent for a two-bedroom apartment (2BHK) in Bangalore can range from 60 to 70 thousand rupees. Furthermore, when adding expenses for a nanny, cook, groceries, gym, shopping, and travel, monthly expenses easily exceed 120–130 thousand rupees. If a person buys a car, their monthly payments and other related costs can add another 50 thousand rupees. As a result, after accounting for children's education and other needs, the amount available for investment becomes very small.

Anmol also highlights the serious issue of expensive housing. He predicts that a house currently costing 30 million rupees in Bangalore could reach 60–70 million rupees in a few years. This makes buying a home a difficult task even for people with good incomes. He adds that this calculation is based on the assumption of continuous employment and no risk of job loss or changes related to artificial intelligence.

Anmol believes that a better alternative might be living in a Tier 3 city while working remotely, or starting one's own business. He explains that the cost of living is relatively lower in such cities, and the potential for savings is higher.

After the video became popular, mixed reactions appeared on social media. Many users agreed with Anmol's opinion, noting that inflation and real estate prices in Bangalore are indeed a major problem. Others suggested that after gaining experience, working abroad might be a more profitable option.

It is important to note that the opinions and calculations expressed by Anmol Agrawal are his personal views. Actual expenses, taxes, and savings can vary greatly depending on each person's income, lifestyle, and financial situation.

uzdaily.uzAugust 9, 08:00

Market services volume in Uzbekistan grew by 16.9% in the first half of 2026

According to data from the National Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Statistics, the volume of market services provided in Uzbekistan from January to June 2026 reached 664.914.4 billion soms at current prices. This represents a real growth of 16.9% compared to the same period last year. It should be noted that in January–June 2025, the volume of services was 539.045.2 billion soms, which was 13.3% higher in real terms than the previous year.

The statistical agency clarified that the growth in current prices and the real growth rate in comparable prices should be considered separately. The provided data is preliminary and may be adjusted in subsequent publications.

Structure of the service market by region

Tashkent accounted for the largest share of market services, making up 41.3% of the total volume, or 274.435.8 billion soms, with its real growth reaching 119.4%. Among the regions, the leaders were Samarkand Region (47.293.2 billion soms, or 7.1% of the total volume), Tashkent Region (45.717.5 billion soms, 6.9%), Fergana Region (44.161.4 billion soms, 6.6%), and Andijan Region (33.988.9 billion soms, 5.1%). The smallest volume was recorded in Syrdarya Region at 9.521.7 billion soms, accounting for 1.4%.

Relatively high real growth rates were noted in Navoi (118.9%), Syrdarya (116.9%), Tashkent (116.3%), Khorezm (116.3%), and Bukhara Region (116.2%), as well as in the Karakalpakstan Republic (116.4%).

Services per capita level

The overall indicator of market services per capita across the country reached 17.325.4 thousand soms, compared to 14.297.7 thousand soms the previous year, reflecting a real growth of 14.8%. Tashkent demonstrated the highest per capita indicator—85.890 thousand soms, an increase of 16.652.5 thousand soms compared to last year. It is followed by Navoi (14.421.8 thousand soms), Tashkent (14.398.7 thousand soms), and Bukhara Region (12.108.1 thousand soms). The lowest per capita indicator was registered in Surkhandarya Region at 6.869.5 thousand soms. The Navoi region leads in the growth rate of services per capita with a rate of 117.1%.

Contribution of small businesses and economic sectors

Small businesses provided services worth 374.210.9 billion soms, accounting for 56.3% of the total volume, with a real growth of 15.8%. The largest share of small businesses in the service structure was recorded in Fergana Region (76.1%), Surkhandarya Region (75.1%), and Andijan Region (74.8%). In Tashkent, despite a relatively low share of small businesses at 42.4%, the absolute volume of services provided by this sector was the largest in the country—116.248.9 billion soms. The smallest value was recorded in Syrdarya Region—6.457.3 billion soms.

By type of economic activity, trade services contributed the most to the overall growth, increasing by 14.9%, adding 3.9 percentage points to the overall indicator. Financial services grew by 26.3%, contributing 3.8 percentage points. Accommodation and catering services also made a noticeable contribution (growth of 11.6%, plus 2.0 percentage points), transport services (growth of 14.7%, plus 2.4 percentage points), and information and communication services (growth of 22.1%, plus 1.7 percentage points).

In the overall trade structure, trade accounted for 25.6%, accommodation and catering services for 17.3%, financial services for 15.7%, transport services for 15.6%, and information and communication services for 7.8%. The volume of trade services reached 169.953.7 billion soms, which is 29.125.7 billion soms more than in January–June 2025; retail trade accounted for the largest share at 41.5%. The volume of accommodation and catering services was 115.153.8 billion soms, with food and beverage delivery accounting for 96.3%. Transport services reached 103.936.6 billion soms, of which road transport accounted for 52.5%, or 54.589.5 billion soms.

Financial services grew to 104.232.5 billion soms, an increase of 26.399.4 billion soms at current prices, with a growth rate of 126.3%. Information and communication services amounted to 51.942.3 billion soms, with computer programming accounting for the largest share at 48.2%.

In the education sector, the volume of services reached 23.772.6 billion soms, where higher education services dominated (42.4%). Healthcare services amounted to 11.256.0 billion soms, and real estate services reached 16.222.2 billion soms, 90.8% of which is attributed to rent and property management.