Food prices fell in December 2011 with the FAO Food Price Index dropping 2.4 per cent, or five points from November. At its new level of 211 points, the Index was 11.3 per cent (27 points) below its peak in February 2011.

The International Fertilizer Industry Association (IFA) has released its short-term Fertilizer Outlook 2012-2013 to the public. The report shows that the fertilizer sector has now fully recuperated from the setback of 2008/09 and is maintaining a steady stream of investment in new capacity, capitalizing on the positive forecasts of a 3 per cent increase in consumption worldwide for the main nutrients – nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) – in 2012.

Avocado—which originated in Central America, particularly in high-elevation areas of Mexico and Guatemala—is now being produced commercially throughout the tropics and subtropics with Asian and Pacific Rim countries including India, Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Australia and New Zealand becoming increasingly important producers.

The FAO Food Price Index in November was virtually unchanged from its October level.