Food prices up 0.7 percent in year to September
13 October 2015
In the year to September 2015, food prices increased 0.7 percent, Statistics New Zealand said today. This follows an
increase of 0.4 percent in the year to August.
“Fruit and vegetable prices increased 5.3 percent over the year, with higher prices for avocados, lettuce, potatoes, and
bananas,” consumer prices manager Matt Haigh said. Fruit prices increased 7.8 percent, while vegetable prices increased
3.9 percent.
Restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food prices rose 2.0 percent. Meat, poultry, and fish prices increased 0.7 percent,
with increases for beef, partly offset by lower prices for chicken and lamb. Beef prices are now at their highest
levels, reflecting higher prices for minced beef and porterhouse steak. Minced beef prices are now at a peak of $14.38
per kilo, compared with $12.33 per kilo a year ago.
Lower grocery food prices (down 1.5 percent, and now at the same level as September 2010), were influenced by lower
prices for fresh milk, yoghurt, cheese, and cakes and biscuits. Fresh milk prices (down 6.1 percent) are now at their
lowest level since August 2013. Lower yoghurt prices (down 13 percent) were influenced by more discounting.
Lower fruit and vegetable prices push food prices down 0.5 percent in September
In the September month, food prices fell 0.5 percent. This follows a 0.5 percent fall in August and a 0.6 percent rise
in July. Seasonally adjusted food prices rose 0.1 percent in September.
Fruit and vegetable prices fell 5.0 percent in September, with lower prices for tomatoes, lettuce, capsicums, and
cucumber. Vegetable prices fell 7.9 percent, while fruit prices fell 0.3 percent. After adjusting for seasonal
influences, vegetable prices fell 0.3 percent and fruit prices also fell 0.3 percent.
Higher prices for meat, poultry, and fish (up 1.8 percent) were influenced by higher prices for beef (now at their
highest level) and processed meat. These rises were partly offset by lower prices for pork. Grocery food prices rose 0.2
percent, with higher prices for snack foods and sauces.
For more information about these statistics:
• Visit Food Price Index: September 2015
ends