Food Price Index: September 2005
Little Change in Food Prices
Food prices decreased 0.1 percent in September 2005, Statistics New Zealand said today. Prices were down for grocery
food, soft drinks and confectionery; and meat, fish and poultry. Prices for fruit and vegetables; and restaurant meals
and ready-to-eat food rose.
Grocery food, soft drinks and confectionery fell 0.2 percent, with the largest downward contributions coming from
chocolate confectionery (down 2.3 percent) and pies and pizzas (down 4.7 percent). These decreases were partly offset by
higher prices for instant coffee (up 6.4 percent).
Meat, fish and poultry prices also decreased 0.2 percent in September 2005, strongly influenced by price decreases for
poultry (down 6.7 percent). These decreases were made less significant by large price increases for beef steak (up 5.0
percent).
Fruit and vegetable prices were up 0.2 percent in September 2005 with the greatest upward contributions coming from
potatoes (up 6.6 percent), broccoli (up 14.1 percent) and tomatoes (up 4.5 percent).
Restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food prices increased 0.2 percent.
From September 2004 to September 2005, food prices increased 0.9 percent. Prices increased for grocery food, soft drinks
and confectionery (up 1.4 percent); meat, fish and poultry (up 3.2 percent); and restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food
(up 2.6 percent). Prices for fruit and vegetables decreased 7.6 percent.
Brian Pink
Government Statistician
ENDS