Food prices down last month

Food prices fell nearly one per cent in April.

Fruit and vegetables fuelled the drop, down more than five per cent.

Statistics NZ says the most significant fall was tomato prices, tumbling more than 21 per cent, and cauliflower down by nearly a third. Potatoes were down 7.2 per cent.

Statistics New Zealand says prices for meat, fish and poultry also dropped, by 1.2 per cent, although grocery items, soft drinks and sweets rose slightly.

Milk and fruit juice led the upwards charge, rising 1.3 per cent and 9.4 per cent respectively.

Food prices for the year to April rose 0.4 of one per cent overall, with price increases recorded for restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food (up nearly two-and-a-half per cent), with a similar rise shown by meat, fish and poultry.

Prices for fruit and vegetables over the same period dropped seven per cent.

- NEWSTALK ZB