New Zealand food prices eased on the month in December as fresh produce came into season but were still higher on the year as dairy, fruit and vegetable prices continued to pressure people's wallets.
Annual food prices rose 2.3 per cent, with fruit and vegetable prices lifting 4.5 per cent. Higher vegetable prices, up 4.3 per cent, were influenced by increases in pumpkin, kumara, and potato prices.
Pumpkin prices continued to increase, up 231 percent versus the same month a year earlier, to its highest ever level. Fruit prices rose 4.8 per cent, with avocado prices up 88 percent versus the same month a year earlier. The average price for a 200g avocado was $2.31 in December 2017, compared with $1.23 in December 2016.
Meat, poultry, and fish prices increased 0.9 per cent in the year to December 2017, with a 17 percent lift in lamb prices partly offset by cheaper beef and veal, which were down 1.8 percent.
Grocery food prices increased 2 per cent, with higher prices for fresh milk, butter, ice cream, and snack foods. Restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food prices increased 2.5 percent versus December 2016 while non-alcoholic beverage prices lifted 2.1 percent.