Stats NZ has announced that Food prices were 10.7 percent higher in November 2022 compared to November 2021. The increase was due to rises across all the board food categories. After adjusting for seasonal effects, the monthly change between October and November was a one percent increase.
Fruit and vegetables increased by 20 percent, restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food prices increased by eight percent, meat, poultry, and fish prices increased by 12 percent, and non-alcoholic beverages increased by 7.8 percent.
“Increasing prices for cheddar cheese, yoghurt, and standard two-litre milk were the largest drivers within grocery food,” said James Mitchell, Consumer Prices Manager.
In November, it is typical to see a monthly decrease in fruit and vegetable prices. However, this year, they did not fall as much as usual and instead rose 0.9 percent after seasonal effects. All other broad food groups rose in price. Yoghurt, potato chips and cheddar cheese were the largest contributors.
Notable price falls for November were tomatoes down 42 percent, broccoli down 44 percent, and strawberries down 35 percent. Notable price increases were onions up 28 percent, potatoes up ten percent and kiwifruit up 26 percent.
