Sugar prices surpass 30-year highsNovember 17, 2010 - 18:28 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Sugar was an important reason for the rise in the price of the global food basket in recent months, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations said in the latest edition of its Food Outlook report. According to FAO, sugar prices, which recently surpassed 30-year highs, remain elevated and extremely volatile. In the oilseeds sector, firm prices reflect relatively slow growth in world production failing to keep pace with fast expanding demand, the report states. Meat prices have also risen but the increase has been far more contained so far. In the dairy sector, butter has already hit an all time high. Prices of internationally traded cassava have also soared to a record level this year with production in 2010 now forecast to decline for the first time in 15 years. Fish also registered large price gains, showing a strong recovery after sharp falls since the end of 2008. That is mostly because aquaculture producers responded to low prices by cutting stocks, which affected production. Strong demand in both developing and developed countries continues to underpin fish prices, FAO said. Top stories Yerevan has dismissed Turkey’s demand to shut down the Armenian nuclear power plant as “inappropriate”. Armenia will loan 2.9 billion drams to Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh), according to a draft government decision. The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan has “strongly condemned” Armenia’s decision. Kerobyan has said that for the first time in the history of Armenia, the volume of foreign direct investments amounted to about $1 billion. Partner news | European Parliament to discuss repression in Azerbaijan The European Parliament will discuss repression of civil society in Azerbaijan on April 24 PACE wants concessions from Azerbaijan to accept Baku back A PACE co-rapporteur said that Azerbaijani authorities must make certain concessions so that the country can return to PACE. Cyprus parliament honors Armenian genocide victims Acting House President Zacharias Koulias noted that April 24 marks the “black anniversary” of the Armenian genocide. Armenia PM, France envoy discuss regional matters Issues related to the consistent development of Armenia-France cooperation were discussed. |