Food Price Index: November 2005— 13 December 2005
Poultry Prices Lift Food Price Index
Food prices recorded a consecutive increase of 0.3 percent in November 2005, Statistics New Zealand said today. Prices
increased for the meat, fish and poultry; grocery food, soft drinks and confectionery; and restaurant meals and
ready-to-eat food subgroups. Prices for the fruit and vegetables subgroup decreased.
Meat, fish and poultry prices increased 1.1 percent in November 2005, driven by higher prices for poultry (up 9.7
percent). Partly offsetting this increase were lower prices for beef mince (down 4.1 percent). Grocery food, soft drinks
and confectionery prices increased 0.4 percent in November 2005, with the largest contributions coming from higher
prices for chocolate confectionery (up 3.7 percent) and canned spaghetti (up 15.5 percent).
The largest downward contribution came from lower prices for potato crisps (down 7.5 percent). The restaurant meals and
ready-to-eat food subgroup increased 0.3 percent in November 2005. Prices for both ready-to-eat food and restaurant
meals increased 0.3 percent.
Fruit and vegetable prices fell 1.6 percent in November 2005, with the most significant downward contributions coming
from lower prices for oranges (down 18.5 percent) and broccoli (down 18.7 percent). Significant upward contributions
came from increased prices for lettuce (up 30.7 percent) and tomatoes (up 8.5 percent). Compared with November 2004,
food prices were 1.5 percent higher in
November 2005. Prices increased for the grocery food, soft drinks and confectionery (up 1.6 percent); restaurant meals
and ready-to-eat food (up 2.5 percent); and meat, fish and poultry (up 2.3 percent) subgroups. Prices for the fruit and
vegetables subgroup decreased 2.0 percent.
Brian Pink
Government Statistician
ENDS