Dear colleagues, We are pleased to attach the latest AP Weekly Price Monitor (Issue 64-65). This, and previous issues can be downloaded from http://www.foodsecuritylink.net/ To subscribe, please send us an email to [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> or see the instructions below. Over the past week, staple food commodity prices remained relatively stable except for: - In Afghanistan, rice prices increased by 2 percent and were 17 percent higher than the prices observed a year earlier. Chicken prices increased by 4 percent and remained 17 percent above the levels observed a year ago. - Wheat flour prices in Bangladesh fell by 3 percent and were 14 percent higher than a year earlier. Soybean prices fell by 2 percent and were 10 percent above the levels observed a year ago. - Cassava prices in Fiji increased by 4 percent towards the end of May and were 5 percent below the prices observed a year ago. Taro prices increased by 5 percent during the same period and were 6 percent below the prices observed a month earlier. - In India, rice prices increased by 4 percent and were 13 percent above those observed a year ago. - In Myanmar, rice, soybean and palm oil prices remained stable over the past week. Yet, rice prices were 12 percent below the levels observed a year ago. On the other hand, wheat, maize and groundnut oil prices increased over the past week by 3, 5, and 3 percent, respectively. - Taro prices in Samoa increased by 6 percent in May and were 65 percent above the prices observed a year ago and 23 percent below those registered three years ago. Taro palagi prices increased by 20 percent in May and more than doubled from the levels observed three months and a year ago. - In Thailand, chicken and pork prices fell by 3 and 4 percent respectively; and were 36 and 12 percent below those observed a year ago, correspondingly. Under the regional policy highlights, Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) agricultural ministers concluded the Second APEC Ministerial Meeting on Food Security in Kazan, Russia. The Kazan Declaration on APEC Food Security focuses on (i) Increasing agricultural production and productivity; (ii) facilitating trade and developing food markets; among others. Under national policy highlights, the Indian Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) for Kharif Crops of 2012-13 season. The MSP for paddy (Common) has been fixed at INR 1,250 per quintal (USD 22.4 per quintal) and for paddy (Grade A) at INR.1,280 per quintal (USD 23). For further information, please refer to the following sections (i) Highlights, (ii) Policy monitoring tool section (Thailand), and the (iii) Price and policy information at country level (files attached). With best regards, AP Weekly Price Monitor To subscribe, please send us an email to [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> or 1. E-mail [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>; 2. Leave the subject blank; 3. Type "subscribe Food-Asia-L" ######################################################################## To unsubscribe from the Food-Asia-L list, click the following link: &*TICKET_URL(Food-Asia-L,SIGNOFF);