Photo: RNZ
Annual food prices have risen at their fastest rate in more than a year, driven by dairy, meat, and some grocery prices.
Stats NZ said prices for the 12 months ended March were up 3.5 percent, the highest since January last year, following a 2.4 percent annual increase in February.
It said butter, milk, lamb, and beef had double-digit percentage rises over the past year, as did chocolate and coffee.
Milk prices increased 16 percent, while butter prices increased 64 percent in the period.
Photo: Unsplash / Tetiana Bykovets
High export prices have underpinned local prices for meat and dairy, while bad harvests, disease, and weather have driven world cocoa prices.
"The average price for a 250g block of chocolate was $5.99 in March 2025, that's $1.60 more expensive than three years ago," Stats NZ prices and deflators spokesperson Nicola Growden said.
"The weighted average price of 1kg of beef mince was $19.96 in March 2025, nearly $2 more expensive than this time last year," she said.
Over the same period, fruit and vegetable prices fell more than 2 percent.
Stats NZ said petrol prices, international airfares, and some accommodation charges were softer last month.
