Food and fuel price shocks possible, says NZIER
Sharply higher prices for oil and basic foods may see supermarket prices rising by early next year.
BUSINESSDESK: Sharply higher prices for oil and basic foods could see prices rising at the supermarket in New Zealand by early next year, the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research says in its latest quarterly predictions.
The independent economic agency sees the economy growing on 1.7% this year, on-trend with the Treasury's May Budget forecast of 1.6%, and says while New Zealand is showing signs of economic recovery world events threaten that outlook.
"The biggest risk to the outlook is from a slowing economy," principal economist Shamubeel Eaqub says. "The European sovereign debt crisis is spilling over to our key trading partners in Asia and Australia, which will dent our exports."
However, even if food and oil prices cause price shocks, NZIER is forecasting relatively robust growth of 2.7% in 2013, based on a "gradual and patchy recovery because of uncertainties around the timing and size of the Canterbury rebuild and highly uncertain trading conditions".
The impact of the US drought on global grain prices would flow through to dairy prices, which would be good for Fonterra.
It yesterday cut its forecast payout for the current year by 30 cents a litre, caused in part to the strength of the New Zealand dollar, despite some evidence of stronger global dairy prices.
NZIER also expects interest rates to remain on hold through all of next year.
"The economy is slow, there is little inflation and global risks are high," Mr Eaqub says. "The Reserve Bank will look through the current spike in global food and fuel prices, as they are transitory."
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Food and fuel price shocks possible, says NZIER
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