Annual food price inflation eased slightly in the 12 months to May, down to 12.1% from 12.5% in April.
“Increasing prices for fresh eggs, potato chips and lollies were the largest drivers within grocery food,” Statistics NZ consumer prices manager James Mitchell said.
The second-largest contributor to the annual movement was fruit and vegetables, up by 18.7%. The increase was driven by avocados, kūmara, potatoes and tomatoes.
Grocery food was up 12.7%, while meat, poultry and fish were up 11.6% and and non-alcoholic beverages were up 11.7%.
Increases in restaurant and ready-to-eat food came in at 8.7%.
Monthly food prices were up 0.3%, or 0.5% on a seasonally adjusted basis.
