U.N. releases food-price comparison tool

ROME, March 19 (UPI) -- A U.N. agency in Rome released an online database of food prices in 55 developing countries showing local prices haven't fallen as they have globally.

The National Basic Food Prices Data and Analysis Tool, developed by the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization as part of its response to high food prices, shows prices of different food commodities in local currencies or dollars and in local measurements and standard weights, the agency said Thursday in a news release.

The interactive tool permits price comparisons between domestic and international markets, different markets in the same country, as well as comparisons between countries, the agency said.

"While food prices have fallen internationally, as indicated by the FAO food price index, this tool shows that in developing countries they have not fallen so fast, or at all," said Liliana Balbi, a senior economist with the agency.

Policy- and decision-makers in agricultural production and trade, development and also humanitarian work could collect information they need by using the tool, Balbi said.

Depending on available funds, the U.N. agency said it plans to add other countries and series to the database.