New Zealand food prices increased at a 0.8 per cent annual pace in January as dairy prices rose after unfavourable weather dented production.
That was the smallest annual increase since April 2017 when prices advanced 0.2 per cent, Statistics New Zealand said.
"Some dairy products and produce items were affected by adverse conditions during winter and spring," Stats NZ consumer prices manager Geoffrey Wong said. "This has contributed to higher prices over the past nine months."
Butter prices surged 43 per cent in the year to January, reaching their highest-ever level. The average price for the cheapest available 500g block of butter was $5.78 in January 2018, compared with $4.06 in January 2017, Stats NZ said.
Meanwhile, avocado and pumpkin prices more than doubled over the year. Avocados were at their highest price for a January month since 2004, with the average price of a 200g avocado $2.78 in January 2018, compared with $1.29 in January 2017.