Food prices up in April
Food prices rose 0.2 percent in April 2013, but were down 0.1 percent on a year earlier, Statistics NewZealand said today.
The rise in April 2013 follows decreases of 1.3 percent in March and 0.3 percent in February.
In April, fruit and vegetable prices increased 1.0 percent. "Tomato prices rose by about two-thirds to $4.60 a kilo in April, which is much the same as April last year, when they were $4.54 a kilo," prices manager Chris Pike said.
There were seasonal price falls for kiwifruit (down 24 percent).
Grocery food prices rose slightly (up 0.2 percent), influenced by yoghurt (up 7.8 percent, due to less discounting) and chocolate bars and blocks (up 4.4 percent).
Meat, poultry, and fish prices remained unchanged overall. There was more discounting for sausages (down 8.8 percent) and pork roast (down 15 percent), partly offset by less discounting on porterhouse/sirloin beef steak (up 6.2 percent).
Annual change in prices
For the year to April 2013, the food price index (FPI) decreased 0.1 percent.
Grocery food prices (down 1.8 percent) made the main downward contribution for the year. Fresh milk (down 7.4 percent), cheese (down 7.8 percent), and butter (down 23 percent) prices were all lower.
Meat, poultry, and fish prices also decreased, influenced by lower prices for lamb (down 17 percent) and ham (down 6.7 percent).
These decreases were offset by price increases for non-alcoholic beverages (up 2.5 percent), restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food (up 1.2 percent), and fruit and vegetables (up 2.0 percent). Avocados (up 48 percent), potatoes (up 12 percent), and bananas (up 9.1 percent) all made upward influences on food prices. There was a smaller crop of avocados in 2012, following a bumper season in 2011.
The FPI measures the rate of price change of food and food services purchased by households. Statistics NZ visits shops across New Zealand to collect prices for the FPI and check package sizes. comments powered by Disqus