Food Price Increases Are Still Running At An All-Time High, Lifting 12.5% From June 2022 To June 2023

Food price increases are still running at an all-time high, lifting 12.5% from June 2022 to June 2023. The Stats NZ Food Price Index shows the annual increase was across all the broad food categories. Grocery food prices increased 12.8%, fruit and vegetables prices increased 22%, restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food prices increased 9.2% and meat, poultry, and fish prices increased 11%. Consumer prices manager James Mitchell says increasing prices for fresh eggs, six-pack yoghurt, and cheddar cheese were the largest drivers within grocery food, then came fruit and vegetables. This was driven by tomatoes, kūmara, and potatoes. Compared to May 2023, food prices had only increased by 1.6% in June 2023.