Food prices dip cent in November

Photo / Hawkes Bay Today

Food prices fell 0.6 per cent in the November, due mostly to lower vegetable prices, says Statistics New Zealand.

This follows a 2.2 per cent fall in October when food prices were affected by the rise in GST, and a 0.7 per cent increase in September.

Vegetable prices fell 9.9 per cent in November.

"Lettuce, tomato, and broccoli prices fell in November, as they usually do. However, prices are much higher than this time last year, reflecting poor weather in September and October," Statistics New Zealand prices manager Chris Pike said.

Grocery food prices were flat - up just 0.1 per cent - in November.

This follows a 1.7 per cent rise in October, when about half the prices collected that were not affected by discounting rose 2 to 2.5 per cent, which reflected the GST increase.

Restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food prices rose 0.6 per cent in November 2010, following a 1.9 per cent rise in October.

In the year to November 2010, food prices rose 4.8 per cent. All subgroups made upward contributions, with the most significant coming from grocery food which was up 5 per cent, and fruit and vegetables prices which increased 11.9 per cent.

- NZ HERALD ONLINE