By 3 News online staff
Food prices increased 1.3 percent in January with seasonally higher fruit and vegetable prices countered by cheaper prices for chicken, energy drinks and yoghurt, new data shows.
Statistics New Zealand released its figures today and says the increase follows a 0.3 percent rise in December and a 0.5 percent fall in November.
Apples, strawberries, kiwifruit, tomatoes and lettuce contributed to an 8.3 percent rise fruit and vegetable prices in January.
The cost of apples was also at their highest level since data collection started, averaging $4.77 per kg compared to $4.20 a year ago.
New season apples arrived later than usual and were in smaller volumes because of adverse spring weather, prices manager Chris Pike says.
Kiwifruit prices are also at their highest levels since their peak in February and March 2009.
Meanwhile, grocery food prices rose 0.6 percent because of higher prices for confectionery, nuts and snacks.
Meat, poultry and fish cost 0.5 percent more with the high prices of lamb was partially offset by the lower cost of chicken which fell 2.8 percent from its December peak.
The price of non-alcoholic drinks fell 0.4 percent.
3 News
source: newshub archive
