2014.07.1021:46:00UTC+00New Zealand Food Prices Climb 1.4% In June

Food prices in New Zealand jumped 1.4 percent on month in June, Statistics New Zealand said on Friday - following a 0.6 percent increase in both April and May.

"Food prices in June were influenced by seasonally higher prices for fresh vegetables and higher meat prices," prices manager Chris Pike said.

Vegetable prices jumped 8.9 percent, while fruit prices fell 0.5 percent. Higher prices were recorded for tomato, lettuce, and cucumber.

The average tomato price of NZ$9.25 per kilo in June 2014, compares with NZ$8.97 in June 2013 and NZ$10.17 in June 2012.

Prices for mandarins, oranges, and bananas fell in June. Banana prices fell to an average of NZ$2.24 per kilo - their lowest level since August 2011.

Prices for meat, poultry, and fish rose 3.6 percent, the largest monthly rise since July 2011. This reflects higher prices for chicken (up 9.9 percent) and beef (up 5.0 percent), both influenced by less discounting.

Grocery food prices added 0.5 percent, influenced by higher prices for dairy products. Prices rose for butter (up 7.7 percent), yogurt (up 3.6 percent), cheese (up 0.8 percent), and fresh milk (up 0.2 percent).

Fresh milk prices are now at their highest level, the bureau said. These rises were partly offset by a fall in prices for bread and cereals (down 0.3 percent), influenced by lower prices for bread, and for cakes and biscuits.

On a yearly basis, food prices climbed 1.2 percent after gaining 1.8 percent in the previous month. Food prices are now at their highest level since they peaked in July 2011.

Prices increased for grocery food (up 1.3 percent), influenced by higher prices for dairy products. Prices for fresh milk (up 11 percent), cheese (up 12 percent), yogurt (up 7.2 percent), and butter (up 12 percent) increased in the year.

Meat, poultry, and fish prices increased 2.8 percent in the year, and are now at their highest level, reflecting higher prices for beef (up 6.9 percent), lamb (20 percent), and chicken (up 2.4 percent).

Beef prices are at their highest level, 3.1 percent higher than their previous peak in April 2014. Lamb prices are now 14 percent below their peak in August 2011.

In the year, fruit and vegetable prices decreased 2.3 percent, reflecting lower prices for both fruit (down 5.1 percent) and vegetables (0.3 percent). Lower prices were recorded for avocados, bananas, capsicum, and kumara.