Annual food inflation in New Zealand rose to 4.5% in February of 2026 from 4.2% in the previous month, reflecting the second consecutive monthly acceleration in prices. Costs fell 0.4% in broader grocery groups, with a 7.5% surge for meat, poultry, and fish, while those for fruit and vegetables soared by 9.4%. In turn, prices for soft drinks rose by 6.7%. source: Statistics New Zealand

Cost of food in New Zealand increased 4.50 percent in February of 2026 over the same month in the previous year. Food Inflation in New Zealand averaged 5.45 percent from 1961 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 25.20 percent in March of 1980 and a record low of -2.00 percent in June of 2010. This page provides - New Zealand Food Inflation - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news. New Zealand Food Inflation - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on March of 2026.

Cost of food in New Zealand increased 4.50 percent in February of 2026 over the same month in the previous year. Food Inflation in New Zealand is expected to be 4.30 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the New Zealand Food Inflation is projected to trend around 1.90 percent in 2027 and 2.00 percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-02-16 09:45 PM
Food Inflation YoY
Jan 4.6% 4% 4.2%
2026-03-16 09:45 PM
Food Inflation YoY
Feb 4.5% 4.6% 4.8%
2026-04-16 10:45 PM
Food Inflation YoY
Mar 4.5% 4.3%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
CPI 1327.00 1319.00 points Dec 2025
Core Consumer Prices 1325.00 1317.00 points Dec 2025
CPI Housing Utilities 1454.00 1447.00 points Dec 2025
CPI Transportation 1287.00 1258.00 points Dec 2025
Export Prices 1658.00 1575.00 points Dec 2025
Food Inflation YoY 4.50 4.20 percent Feb 2026
GDP Deflator 1561.00 1542.00 points Dec 2025
Import Prices 1041.00 1026.00 points Dec 2025
Inflation Rate YoY 3.10 3.00 percent Dec 2025
Inflation Rate QoQ 0.60 1.00 percent Dec 2025
Producer Prices 1494.00 1492.00 points Dec 2025


New Zealand Food Inflation
In New Zealand, the food price index (FPI) measures the changes in prices that households pay for food.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
4.50 4.20 25.20 -2.00 1961 - 2026 percent Monthly

News Stream
New Zealand Food Inflation Accelerates
Annual food inflation in New Zealand rose to 4.5% in February of 2026 from 4.2% in the previous month, reflecting the second consecutive monthly acceleration in prices. Costs fell 0.4% in broader grocery groups, with a 7.5% surge for meat, poultry, and fish, while those for fruit and vegetables soared by 9.4%. In turn, prices for soft drinks rose by 6.7%.
2026-03-16
New Zealand Food Inflation Rebounds
Annual food inflation in New Zealand rose to 4.6% in January of 2026 from the eight-month low of 4% in the previous month, reflecting the first acceleration in prices since October. Costs rose 4% in broader grocery groups, with an 8.9% surge for meat, poultry, and fish, while those for white bread soared by 57.9%. In turn, prices for takeaway coffee rose by 6.6%.
2026-02-16
NZ Food Inflation Slows to 4% in December
Annual food inflation in New Zealand slowed to 4% in December 2025, the lowest since April, from 4.4% in November. The grocery food group, which rose 4.6% year-on-year, contributed most to the overall increase in food prices. Meat, poultry and fish followed, climbing 7.4% annually. Restaurant meals and ready-to-eat foods, as well as fruits and vegetables, each rose 2.4%, while non-alcoholic beverages increased 3.6%.
2026-01-15