Food prices in New Zealand were down 0.3 percent on month in April, Statistics New Zealand said on Wednesday.
That follows the 0.1 percent increase in March and the 0.7 percent fall in February.
“More discounting on items such as biscuits, snack foods, and sauces contributed to lower grocery prices. This was countered by higher prices for tomatoes, beef, and chicken,” prices manager Chris Pike said.
Grocery food prices fell 0.9 percent, influenced by lower prices for cakes and biscuits, snack foods, and sauces, the bureau said. The price of cakes and biscuits was influenced by more discounting on biscuits.
In April, fruit and vegetable prices fell 1.2 percent. Fruit prices (down 2.9 percent) were influenced by seasonally lower prices for kiwifruit. Prices for apples also fell, with a continued supply of new season varieties. These price falls were partly offset by seasonally higher prices for mandarins.
Vegetable prices (up 0.1 percent) were influenced by seasonally higher prices for tomatoes, partly offset by lower prices for carrots and cabbage. The average price of tomatoes in April 2015 was $4.81 per kilo, up from $3.49 per kilo in March 2015. This compares with an average price of $3.98 in April 2014.
In April, a 0.4 percent rise in meat, poultry, and fish prices was influenced by higher prices for beef (up 4.5 percent), which are now at their highest level. Prices for chicken (up 1.8 percent) also rose. These price rises were partly offset by lower prices for processed meat (down 2.1 percent).
Higher prices were also recorded for restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food (up 0.2 percent) and non-alcoholic beverages (up 0.3 percent), influenced by less discounting of packaged coffee.
On a yearly basis, food prices climbed 1.0 percent, slowing from the 1.9 percent gain in the previous month.
Fruit and vegetable prices increased 5.3 percent, reflecting higher prices for lettuce, potatoes, bananas, strawberries, and tomatoes. Prices for avocados, cucumber, and mushrooms decreased in the year.
Restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food prices increased 1.6 percent.
Meat, poultry, and fish prices increased 2.0 percent, reflecting higher prices for beef (up 9.4 percent) and chicken (up 2.3 percent).
Grocery food prices decreased 1.5 percent in the year to April, influenced by lower prices for bread, cheese, snack foods, and butter. These price decreases were partly offset by higher prices for chocolate and fresh milk.
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