Monthly food prices rose 0.6% in April 2024 compared with March 2024, according to figures released by Stats NZ.
It’s the first monthly rise in three months, with the largest contributing group to the monthly rise being grocery food, driven by higher prices for potato crisps, chocolate blocks, and olive oil.
The fruit and vegetables group slightly offset the increase, with cheaper prices for kiwifruit, broccoli, and mandarins.
“Stocking up with fruit and vegetables became cheaper for the third consecutive month,” consumer prices manager James Mitchell says.
“At the same time, filling up the fridge and pantry with other food items, and heading out to a cafe or restaurant became more expensive.”
Food prices increased 0.8% in the 12 months to April 2024.
The latest increase followed a 0.7% increase in the 12 months to March 2024. At the same time last year food prices increased 12.%.
The smaller increase compared with last year was due to cheaper fruit and vegetables, down 13% in the 12 months to April 2024, while all other broad food groups increased in price.
“The fall in fruit and vegetable prices, compared with April 2023, reflects prices coming down from highs seen throughou
