Beef more expensive, milk prices fall

Beef, fruit and vegetable prices are up while fresh milk prices are at their lowest since 2013 in latest Food Price Index. Photo / Northern Advocate

The price of beef has reached a new high, with mince costing nearly $2 more per kilogram than a year ago. The latest Food Price Index released by Statistics New Zealand show food prices have increased 0.7 per cent in the year to September 2015.

Fruit and vegetables have increased in price, along with beef.

Fresh milk is currently at the lowest price since August 2013.

Consumer prices manager Matt Haigh said fruit prices increased 7.8 per cent and vegetables now cost 3.9 per cent more than last year.

"Fruit and vegetable prices increased 5.3 per cent over the year, with higher prices for avocados, lettuce, potatoes, and bananas," he said.

Beef prices are now at their highest level, with beef mince and porterhouse steak costing more.

A year ago minced beef cost $12.33 per kilogram, shoppers are now paying $14.38 per kilogram.

General grocery food prices were down 1.5 per cent at at the same level as September 2010 because of a drop in the price for fresh milk, yoghurt, cheese and cakes and biscuits.

Fresh milk was down 6.1 per cent, and at its lowest price since August 2013. Yoghurt was down 13 per cent and influenced by discounting, Statistics NZ said.

Restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food prices rose 2 per cent.

In September, fruit and vegetable prices fell 5 per cent with lower prices for tomatoes, lettuce, capsicums, and cucumber. After adjusting for seasonal influences, vegetable prices fell 0.3 per cent and fruit prices also fell 0.3 per cent.

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