Annual food prices rose 6.8 percent in February 2022 compared with February 2021, according to Stats NZ. This was the largest annual increase since July 2011 when prices increased 7.9 percent.
- fruit and vegetable prices increased by 17 percent
- grocery food prices increased by 5.4 percent
- restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food prices increased by 5.2 percent
- meat, poultry, and fish prices increased by 7.1 percent
- non-alcoholic beverage prices increased by 2.3 percent.
“Fruit and vegetables were the largest contributors to the annual movement, mainly influenced by tomatoes, broccoli, and iceberg lettuce,” food prices lead analyst Angus Crowe said.
Small fall in monthly food prices
Monthly food prices fell 0.1 percent in February 2022. This fall follows a 2.7 percent rise in January 2022.
“Fruit and vegetables were the main contributors to the fall in February, down 0.7 percent,” said Crowe.
“This was mainly influenced by lower prices for tomatoes, apples, and potatoes.”
Grocery food (down 0.2 percent) and non-alcoholic beverage prices (down 0.3 percent) also contributed to the fall.
Restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food prices rose 0.3 percent, while meat, poultry, and fish prices rose 0.1 percent.
