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. source: Statistics New Zealand

Cost of food in New Zealand increased 3.20 percent in May of 2026 over the same month in the previous year. Food Inflation in New Zealand averaged 5.44 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 June of 2026.

Cost of food in New Zealand increased 3.20 percent in May of 2026 over the same month in the previous year. Food Inflation in New Zealand is expected to be 3.00 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
2026-05-14 10:45 PM
Food Inflation YoY
Apr 2.6% 3.4% 3.9%
2026-06-15 10:45 PM
Food Inflation YoY
May 3.2% 2.6% 2.7%
2026-07-15 10:45 PM
Food Inflation YoY
Jun 3.2% 3%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
CPI 1339.00 1327.00 points Mar 2026
Core Consumer Prices 1336.00 1325.00 points Mar 2026
CPI Housing Utilities 1463.00 1454.00 points Mar 2026
CPI Transportation 1306.00 1287.00 points Mar 2026
Export Prices 1613.00 1658.00 points Mar 2026
Food Inflation YoY 3.20 2.60 percent May 2026
GDP Deflator 1563.00 1556.00 points Mar 2026
Import Prices 1034.00 1041.00 points Mar 2026
Inflation Rate YoY 3.10 3.10 percent Mar 2026
Inflation Rate QoQ 0.90 0.60 percent Mar 2026
Producer Prices 1506.00 1494.00 points Mar 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
3.20 2.60 25.20 -2.00 1961 - 2026 percent Monthly

News Stream
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
New Zealand Food Inflation at 14-Month Low of 2.6%
Annual food inflation in New Zealand eased to 2.6% in April 2026 from 3.4% in the previous month, marking the second straight month of moderation. The latest figure also marked the softest increase since February 2025, with fruit and vegetable prices rising at their slowest pace in four months (3.7% vs 6.4%), while grocery food prices advanced at the weakest rate since at least April 2025 (0.7% vs 1.2%). Meanwhile, the meat, poultry, and fish category rose 7.8% (vs 7.3% in March), making the largest contribution to the annual increase in food prices, followed by restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food, which increased 2.7% (vs 2.8% in March). By contrast, prices for olive oil and eggs fell 10.3% and 8.8%, respectively. On a monthly basis, food prices were unchanged after falling 0.6% in March.
2026-05-14
New Zealand Food Inflation Eases to 13-Month Low
Annual food inflation in New Zealand slowed to 3.4% in March 2026 from 4.5% in the previous month, marking the first monthly moderation in three months. The latest figure also represented the lowest level since February 2025. The meat, poultry, and fish group rose 7.3% (vs. 7.5% in February), making the largest contribution to the annual increase in food prices, followed by restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food, which rose 2.8% (vs. 2.7% in February). By contrast, prices for olive oil and free-range eggs fell 7.6% and 10.3%, respectively. On a monthly basis, food prices fell 0.6%, mainly driven by declines in fruit and vegetables (-2.9%) and grocery food (-0.8%).
2026-04-16