ROME, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Global food prices edged higher in April, driven in part by new import tariff policies in the United States, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported Friday.

According to FAO, prices increased for grains and cereals, dairy products, and meat, pushing its benchmark Food Price Index up by 1 percent compared to March, despite declines in the prices of sugar and vegetable oils.

The organization said the strongest impact of the U.S. tariff changes was observed in grains and cereals - the largest component of the FAO Food Price Index - although seasonal demand, reduced wheat exports from Russia, and a weaker U.S. dollar also played significant roles.

"Adjustments to the United States' import tariff policies - including the exemption of Mexico, the leading importer of U.S. maize, and a 90-day suspension of tariffs above 10 percent for several other trading partners - further contributed to the upward price pressure," the FAO noted in its monthly report.

Dairy prices climbed by 2.4 percent month-on-month and meat prices jumped 3.2 percent. In contrast, vegetable oil prices fell by 2.3 percent and sugar prices declined for the second straight month, dropping 3.5 percent from March, according to the report. ■