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%. source: Statistics New Zealand

Cost of food in New Zealand increased 4 percent in December of 2025 over the same month in the previous year. Food Inflation in New Zealand averaged 5.45 percent from 1961 until 2025, 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 February of 2026.

Cost of food in New Zealand increased 4 percent in December of 2025 over the same month in the previous year. Food Inflation in New Zealand is expected to be 2.00 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 1.90 percent in 2027, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2025-12-15 09:45 PM
Food Inflation YoY
Nov 4.4% 4.7% 4.5%
2026-01-15 09:45 PM
Food Inflation YoY
Dec 4% 4.4% 4.6%
2026-02-16 09:45 PM
Food Inflation YoY
Jan 4% 4.2%


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 1575.00 1601.00 points Sep 2025
Food Inflation YoY 4.00 4.40 percent Dec 2025
GDP Deflator 1541.00 1536.00 points Sep 2025
Import Prices 1026.00 1021.00 points Sep 2025
Inflation Rate YoY 3.10 3.00 percent Dec 2025
Inflation Rate 0.60 1.00 percent Dec 2025
Producer Prices 1492.00 1483.00 points Sep 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
4.00 4.40 25.20 -2.00 1961 - 2025 percent Monthly

News Stream
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
NZ Food Inflation Eases in November
Annual food inflation in New Zealand eased to 4.4% in November 2025, down from 4.7% in the previous month. 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 7.7% annually, while restaurant meals and ready-to-eat foods rose 2.4%. Fruit and vegetable prices increased 3.7%, and non-alcoholic beverages were up 4.4%, reflecting varied price pressures across different food categories.
2025-12-15
New Zealand Food Prices Pick Up from 5-Month Low
Annual food inflation in New Zealand rose to 4.7% in October 2025, up from September’s five-month low of 4.1%. Grocery prices led the increase, climbing 4.9% year-on-year, while meat, poultry, and fish rose 7.6%. Among individual items, milk jumped 13.5%, instant coffee surged 25.5%, cheese spiked 30.1%, and fresh eggs increased 18.5%.
2025-11-17