Food prices have increased by 0.6% in the 12 months to July, according to Stats NZ figures released today.
It follows a 0.3% decrease in the 12 months to the end of June, which was the first drop in nearly six years.
The increase was partly driven by higher prices for restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food, which increased by 3.7%.
Despite the increase overall, fruit and vegetable prices were down 8.5%, and meat, poultry and fish were down 1.1%.
Stats NZ said Cheaper prices for kumara, lettuce, and potatoes drove the fall in fruit and vegetable prices.
“Kumara prices dropped to $5.72 per kilo, almost one-third of the peak price of $14.25 per kilo in January 2024,” consumer prices manager James Mitchell said.
Monthly food prices were up 0.4% in July 2024, following a 1.0% increase in June 2024.
In July petrol prices fell 0.5%, while diesel fell 0.2%.
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