The cost of fruit and vegetables increased 1.2 per cent per cent in the year to October.
However, seasonably lower fruit and vegetable prices saw overall food prices fall 0.8 per cent last month, with tomatoes and lettuce down 29 per cent.
The latest Food Price Index by Statistics New Zealand showed fruit and vegetable prices had increased 1.2 per cent in the year to October.
This compares to data from the latest Consumer Price Index, which showed in the September quarter, vegetable prices had increased 16 per cent, 0.5 per cent after seasonal adjustment, compared to the June quarter.
Consumer prices manager Matt Haigh said in a Statistics NZ press release that, although the tomato cost was a "large fall", it was still more expensive than in October 2015.
Courgette prices dropped 43 per cent in October, but carrot prices rose by 19 per cent.
Welcome Bay consumer Meghan Scarrow thought the price of vegetables was getting "ridiculous".
"It's almost easier to buy processed food instead of fresh produce. It would be at least half of my food budget each week," she said.
Ms Scarrow said she had started growing vegetables by buying a plastic tub with holes in it and a bag of soil.
"Anyone could make a quick vege garden, it doesn't need to be fancy."
Harland Sinclair, owner of Ooooby, the organic food delivery service and Emma's Food Bag said it had been a tough year caused by heavy rain and new food regulations.
He said consumers should look around to find a good deal.
Tauranga Budget advice manager Diane Bruin said vegetables did take a lot out of the budget.
"More families are struggling to make the food budget work effectively and are always looking at cheaper alternatives," she said.
"For the replacement vegetable items, frozen can be a cheaper option and less wastage."
Countdown merchandise manager of produce Steve Sexton said the price of fruit and vegetables fluctuated due to seasonal shifts, weather conditions, export/import factors and supply and demand.
"The Consumer Price Index doesn't take factors like this into consideration or that if you're buying summer vegetables in winter these will be more expensive."
He said produce such as tomatoes and lettuce, which were out of season when the quarterly report was taken, had an effect on the increase of prices.
Green-fingered resolution
Emily Gullick, her husband, Mike and their two children have not bought a vegetable since 2015, after a New Year's resolution to only eat what they could grow.
"It's a heck of a lot cheaper and definitely possible," Mrs Gullick said.
"At the end of last year we decided we wanted to challenge ourselves. To see if it was practical and viable to do it."
She estimated it saved the family $40 a week.
"It is very, very difficult to buy food for four people. If I had to buy everything I grow, it would be unaffordable."
Mrs Gullick said her family are "100 per cent more appreciative" of where their food comes from, and are planning on making their one-year challenge, life-long.