April 3 (UPI) -- The war in Iran has driven up global food prices and freight costs in March for the second month in a row, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization.
The prices have risen mostly because of energy-related pressures due to the war in Iran, the U.N. FAO Food Price Index report said. The report tracks monthly changes in international prices of globally traded food commodities.
The index said the average price of a batch of commodities was 128.5 points in March, which was up 2.4% from February and 1% above one year ago. The index, which tracks grain, sugar, meat, dairy and vegetable oil costs, rose in February for the first time in five months.
Vegetable oil and sugar prices saw the largest increase, up 5% and 7% respectively.
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