Food prices increased by an average of 0.7% in January alone while the year-to -January food price index shows an increase of 2.3%, Statistics New Zealand revealed today (13 February).  Although prices were up for the grocery food, soft drinks, confectionery, fruit and vegetables and ready-to-eat food subgroups, meat, fish and poultry prices fell in the period.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Premium Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more


The price of meat, fish and poultry dropped by 0.2% in January. Poultry prices fell 3.7% in the month.


The cost of fruits and vegetables rose by 2.9% throughout January, driven by a 14% rise in the cost of potatoes and a 17.5% rise in the price of citrus fruit. These increases were partially off-set by a 10.6% fall in the cost of tomatoes.


Grocery food, soft drinks and confectionary prices were up 0.7% thanks to increases in the cost of dairy products (up 1.4%) and bread (up 1.7%). However, the price of potato crisps fell by 5.3%.


For the year to January, food prices in NZ have increased 2.3%, the largest annual increase for more than three years.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

Grocery food, soft drinks and confectionery prices increased 0.7% in January 2006, with the most significant upward contributions coming from higher prices for dairy products (up 1.4%), and bread and bread rolls (up 1.7%). These increases were partly offset by lower prices for potato crisps (down 5.3%).


Fruit and vegetable prices were up 2.9% in January 2006, driven by higher prices for potatoes (up 14.0%) and citrus fruit (up 17.5%). These increases were partly offset by lower prices for tomatoes (down 10.6%).


Meat, fish and poultry prices decreased 0.2% in January 2006, with the most significant downward contribution coming from lower prices for poultry (down 3.7%).


For the year to January 2006, food prices increased 2.3%, which is the largest annual increase since August 2002 (up 3.0%). Prices increased for all subgroups: grocery food, soft drinks and confectionery (up 1.8%); meat, fish and poultry (up 4.3%); restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food (up 2.5%); and fruit and vegetables (up 1.7%).