Little Change in Food Prices

Food prices decreased 0.1 percent in September 2005, Statistics New Zealand said today. Prices were down for grocery food, soft drinks and confectionery; and meat, fish and poultry. Prices for fruit and vegetables; and restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food rose.

Grocery food, soft drinks and confectionery fell 0.2 percent, with the largest downward contributions coming from chocolate confectionery (down 2.3 percent) and pies and pizzas (down 4.7 percent). These decreases were partly offset by higher prices for instant coffee (up 6.4 percent).

Meat, fish and poultry prices also decreased 0.2 percent in September 2005, strongly influenced by price decreases for poultry (down 6.7 percent). These decreases were made less significant by large price increases for beef steak (up 5.0 percent).

Fruit and vegetable prices were up 0.2 percent in September 2005 with the greatest upward contributions coming from potatoes (up 6.6 percent), broccoli (up 14.1 percent) and tomatoes (up 4.5 percent).

Restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food prices increased 0.2 percent.

From September 2004 to September 2005, food prices increased 0.9 percent. Prices increased for grocery food, soft drinks and confectionery (up 1.4 percent); meat, fish and poultry (up 3.2 percent); and restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food (up 2.6 percent). Prices for fruit and vegetables decreased 7.6 percent.

Brian Pink
Government Statistician

There is a companion Hot Off The Press information release published – Food Price Index: September 2005.

Food Price Index: September 2005 (pdf)