ROME, April 8 Reuters World food prices rose for a 10th consecutive month in March, hitting their highest level since June 2014, led by jumps in vegetable oils, meat and dairy indices, the United Nations food agency said on Thursday.

The Food and Agriculture Organizations food price index, which measures monthly changes for a basket of cereals, oilseeds, dairy products, meat and sugar, averaged 118.5 points last month versus a slightly revised 116.1 in February.

The February figure was previously given as 116.0.

The Romebased FAO also said in a statement that worldwide cereal harvests remained on course to hit an annual record in 2020, adding that early indications pointed to a further increase in production this year.

FAOs cereal price index fell 1.7 month on month in March, ending eight months of consecutive gains, but still 26.5 higher than the same period last month.

Among major cereals, wheat export prices dropped the most, declining 2.4 on the month, reflecting good supplies and encouraging production prospects for the 2021 crops, FAO said.

FAOs vegetable oil price index surged 8.0 on the month to reach its highest level since June 2011, lifted by higher prices for palm, soy, rape and sunflower oils.

Dairy prices rose for a 10th month running, registering a 3.9 increase. FAO said one of the drivers in the sector was milk powder, which was boosted by a surge in imports in Asia, especially China, due to concerns over shortterm supplies.

The meat index climbed…