Global food prices measured by the FAO Food Price Index fell three points or 1.4% from March to April 2012 but seem to have stabilised at a relatively high level of 214 points, FAO said.

The fall was the first after three consecutive months of increases and although the index is significantly down from its record level of 235 points in April 2011, it is still well above the figures of under 200 which preceded the 2008 food crisis.

The index was published in the latest FAO Food Outlook, a global market analysis which comes out twice a year. It noted that the prospects for the second half of this year and into the next indicate generally improved supplies and continuing strong demand.

Consequently the global food import bill in 2012 could decline to $1.24-trillion, down slightly from last year’s record of $1.29-trillion Food Outlook said.