The Food Price Index, tracked by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), rose in March amid rising energy prices linked to the Middle East conflict.

The FAO Food Price Index (FFPI), which measures the average monthly international prices of a basket of food products sold on world markets, averaged 128.5 points in March, up 2.4 percent from February and 1 percent above last year, the FAO said in a statement.

It added that disruptions in fertilizer supplies and high energy prices are contributing to market uncertainty, despite the generally favorable situation with global grain supplies.