World food prices extend rise in March: FAO

World food prices climbed in March, due ​largely to higher energy costs ‌linked to the escalating conflict in the Middle East, the United Nations Food and ​Agriculture Organization said on ​Friday.

The FAO Food Price Index, which ⁠measures changes in a basket ​of globally traded food commodities, averaged ​128.5 points in March, up 2.4 per cent from its revised February level.

"Price rises since the ​conflict began have been modest, ​driven mainly by higher oil prices and ‌cushioned ⁠by ample global cereal supplies," FAO Chief Economist Maximo Torero said in a statement.

But if the conflict ​lasts over ​40 ⁠days and input costs remain high, farmers may reduce ​inputs, plant less, or ​switch ⁠crops, leading to lower future yields and affecting food supply and prices ⁠for ​the rest of ​this year and next, he said.