Food prices on the rise

The cost of fruit and vegetables is at the forefront of another rise in food prices, according to Statistics New Zealand.

The latest Statistics New Zealand figures show food prices rose 1.4 per cent in June, with fruit and vegetables, meat and dairy products presenting the biggest increases.

The most significant increase came from a 9 per cent rise in the fruit and vegetables subgroup due to a seasonal rise in tomato prices, up 42 per cent, following a 58 per cent rise in May.

Seasonally higher prices were also recorded for avocados, up 37 per cent, nectarines, up 51 per cent, broccoli, up 54 per cent and lettuce, up 17 per cent.

Prices for the meat, poultry and fish also rose 1.3 per cent with ham up a significant 12 per cent and fresh chicken up 4.9 per cent.

The grocery food subgroup rose 0.3 per cent, with increases for chocolate bars and blocks up 9.3 per cent, gourmet cheese such as camembert up 7.6 per cent and boxes of chocolates up 14 per cent.

While the overall price of food in June rose, price manager Chris Pike says prices were still 0.2 per cent lower than they were in June 2011.

Bread and dairy prices for June decreased with bread falling 2.8 per cent and fresh milk falling dropping for the third month in a row, down another 0.7 per cent.

Discounts on soft drinks and tea meant the non-alcoholic drinks subgroup was the only one to fall, down 1.5 per cent.

Despite having the highest price rise for June, the price of fruit and vegetables for the year to June 2012 are down 2.6 per cent.