Food prices rise at fastest rate since mid-2009
A 6.1 percent rise in food prices in the year to April was the biggest annual increase since July 2009, even though prices edged up just 0.1 percent last month.
A 6.1 percent rise in food prices in the year to April was the biggest annual increase since July 2009, even though prices edged up just 0.1 percent last month.
For just the April month, grocery food prices rose 1 percent, non-alcoholic beverages were up 1.7 percent, fruit and vegetable prices dropped 3.3 percent, and meat, poultry and fish prices dropped 0.5 percent, Statistics New Zealand (SNZ) said today.
Soft drinks lifted 1.8 percent in the month, margarine gained 12.8 percent, bread added 2.1 percent, and sausages were up 5.2 percent.
Lettuce prices fell 15.8 percent, and kiwifruit was down 27.4 percent, while a 5.5 percent drop in porterhouse/sirloin beef steak and 13.5 percent fall in canned soup reflected a rise in the level of discounting, SNZ said.
The 6.1 percent annual rise included a 2.2 percent lift in food prices last October from the increase in GST.
Grocery food prices were up 5.8 percent over the year, fruit and vegetables lifted 8.7 percent, the meat, poultry and fish group lifted 6 percent, restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food lifted 4.6 percent, and non-alcoholic beverages rose 7.6 percent.
Fresh milk was up 9.3 percent over the year, soft drinks lifted 6.1 percent, potatoes rose 30.9 percent, lettuce was up 47.8 percent, and lamb chops added 23.3 percent. Bananas fell 6.2 percent and bacon dropped 4 percent.
NZPA
Thu, 12 May 2011
Thu, 12 May 2011
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Food prices rise at fastest rate since mid-2009
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