"Not here, we sell a heap of carrots."
The "hardcore range" of vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, onions and pumpkin were always popular, no matter the price.
Sales of celery, leeks and cabbage picked up when they were offered on special.
Bananas were Mr Matthews' best selling fruit, but at the moment stone fruit were "walking out the door".
Some buyers were concerned whether produce was locally produced and came to his store especially, he said.
Although some customers wanted to buy organic produce, higher prices usually put them off.
Mr Matthews sources some organic produce but sells at normal prices.
Nationally, potatoes knocked off tomatoes from the top spot, after they had reigned supreme for at least 10 years.
Scientifically tomatoes are considered to be a fruit, but Statistics NZ, Horticulture New Zealand and most consumers consider them vegetables.
Spending on potatoes and tomatoes increased by more than $10 million since the last survey in 2010.
Mission Nutrition natural fertility specialist Rene Schliebs said potatoes were an economical option for Kiwi households as they were available all year round at affordable prices.
"From a nutritional perspective they are an excellent source of fibre especially with the skin left on, high in potassium and a good source of vitamin C and vitamin B6."
Celery, one of the vegetables to lose popularity, was becoming widely known as one of the most heavily sprayed vegetables she said.
Horticulture New Zealand chief executive Peter Silcock said the statistics showed Kiwis were spending more on fruit and vegetables, but were also spending more on imported fruit.
"Increasingly our growers are facing competition from imports during our main production seasons, rather than only during our off-season."
HortNZ is calling for mandatory country of origin labelling for all food sold in this country. APNZ
