Annual food inflation in New Zealand eased to 1.9% in July 2026 from 2.5% in June, marking the softest increase since December 2024. The moderation was mainly driven by a fall in fruit and vegetable prices and easing price pressures on grocery food, meat, poultry, and fish. Prices for meat, poultry, and fish increased by 3.2% (vs 6.2% in June), marking the slowest rate since at least June 2025, and remained the largest contributor to the annual increase in food prices. Grocery food prices rose at their slowest pace in three months (1.6% vs 1.9% in June), while fruit and vegetable prices fell 1.0%, reversing a 0.1% rise in June. At the same time, milk, cheese, and egg prices also dropped 0.9%, while oils and fats continued to fall (-6.3% vs -8.5% in June). Meanwhile, inflation for restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food accelerated slightly to 3.2% from 3.1% in June. Monthly, food prices edged up 0.1%, easing from a 0.6% gain in June and marking the softest increase in three months. source: Statistics New Zealand

Cost of food in New Zealand increased 1.90 percent in July of 2026 over the same month in the previous year. Food Inflation in New Zealand averaged 5.43 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 August of 2026.

Cost of food in New Zealand increased 1.90 percent in July of 2026 over the same month in the previous year. Food Inflation in New Zealand is expected to be 3.60 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 3.20 percent in 2027 and 2.50 percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-07-16 10:45 PM
Food Inflation YoY
Jun 2.5% 3.2% 3%
2026-08-16 10:45 PM
Food Inflation YoY
Jul 1.9% 2.5% 2.4%
2026-09-17 10:45 PM
Food Inflation YoY
Aug 1.9%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
CPI 1359.00 1339.00 points Jun 2026
Core Consumer Prices 1346.00 1336.00 points Jun 2026
CPI Housing Utilities 1479.00 1463.00 points Jun 2026
CPI Transportation 1384.00 1306.00 points Jun 2026
Export Prices 1613.00 1658.00 points Mar 2026
Food Inflation YoY 1.90 2.50 percent Jul 2026
GDP Deflator 1563.00 1556.00 points Mar 2026
Import Prices 1034.00 1041.00 points Mar 2026
Inflation Rate YoY 4.10 3.10 percent Jun 2026
Inflation Rate QoQ 1.50 0.90 percent Jun 2026
Producer Prices 1530.00 1506.00 points Jun 2026


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
1.90 2.50 25.20 -2.00 1961 - 2026 percent Monthly

News Stream
New Zealand Food Inflation at 19-Month Low
Annual food inflation in New Zealand eased to 1.9% in July 2026 from 2.5% in June, marking the softest increase since December 2024. The moderation was mainly driven by a fall in fruit and vegetable prices and easing price pressures on grocery food, meat, poultry, and fish. Prices for meat, poultry, and fish increased by 3.2% (vs 6.2% in June), marking the slowest rate since at least June 2025, and remained the largest contributor to the annual increase in food prices. Grocery food prices rose at their slowest pace in three months (1.6% vs 1.9% in June), while fruit and vegetable prices fell 1.0%, reversing a 0.1% rise in June. At the same time, milk, cheese, and egg prices also dropped 0.9%, while oils and fats continued to fall (-6.3% vs -8.5% in June). Meanwhile, inflation for restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food accelerated slightly to 3.2% from 3.1% in June. Monthly, food prices edged up 0.1%, easing from a 0.6% gain in June and marking the softest increase in three months.
2026-08-16
New Zealand Food Inflation Hits 16-Month Low
Annual food inflation in New Zealand slowed to 2.5% in June 2026 from May's 3.2%, marking the softest increase since February 2025. The moderation was mainly driven by fruit and vegetables, grocery food, and meat, poultry, and fish. Prices for meat, poultry, and fish increased by 6.2% (vs 6.9% in May), marking the slowest rate since at least June 2025, and remained the largest contributor to the annual increase in food prices. This was followed by restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food, which rose 3.1% annually (vs 3.3% in May). Meanwhile, fruit and vegetables inflation eased sharply to 0.1% in June from 2.7% in the previous month. Grocery food prices rose at a slower pace (1.9% vs 2.4% in May) after hitting their highest level in three months in May. At the same time, milk, cheese, and egg prices also moderated to 0.5% from 1.6% in May. By contrast, prices for oils and fats continued to fall (-8.5% vs -8.6% in May). Monthly, food prices rose 0.6% after increasing 1.0% in May.
2026-07-16
New Zealand Food Inflation Accelerates to 3.2% in May
Annual food inflation in New Zealand accelerated to 3.2% in May 2026 from April’s 14-month low of 2.6%, the first acceleration in three months. The increase was mainly driven by grocery food; meat, poultry, and fish; fruit; and restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food prices. Grocery food prices rose at the fastest pace in three months (2.4% vs 0.7% in April). Meanwhile, prices for meat, poultry, and fish increased by 6.9% (vs 7.8% in April), making the largest contribution to the annual increase in food prices, followed by restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food prices, which rose 3.3% (vs 2.7%). On the other hand, fruit and vegetable prices moderated to a five-month low of 2.7% in May, down from 3.7% in April. Meanwhile, milk, cheese, and egg prices rebounded, rising 1.6% year-on-year in May after falling 0.1% in April. By contrast, prices for oils and fats continued to fall (-8.6% vs -10.3%). On a monthly basis, food prices rose 1.0% after being flat in April.
2026-06-15