Annual food inflation in New Zealand accelerated to 2.4% in September 2026 from 1.9% in the previous month, which was the softest increase since December 2024. It was the fastest increase in food inflation since June, as grocery food prices rose to 3.0% from 1.7% in August, making them the largest contributor to the annual increase in food prices. Inflation for restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food eased slightly to 3.1% from 3.2%, making it the second-largest contributor to the annual increase in food prices. Meanwhile, prices for meat, poultry, and fish increased by 3.2%, compared with 3.4% in August, while fruit and vegetable prices fell at a faster rate, declining 1.8% following a 1.6% drop in August. At the same time, prices for milk, cheese, and eggs fell more sharply (-0.6% vs -0.3% in August), while prices for oils and fats declined at a slower pace (-8.1% vs -10.6%). On a monthly basis, food prices were unchanged, following a 0.3% increase in August. source: Statistics New Zealand

Cost of food in New Zealand increased 2.40 percent in September of 2026 over the same month in the previous year. Food Inflation in New Zealand averaged 5.42 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 November of 2026.

Cost of food in New Zealand increased 2.40 percent in September 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
2026-09-17 10:45 PM
Food Inflation YoY
Aug 1.9% 1.9% 2.0%
2026-10-15 09:45 PM
Food Inflation YoY
Sep 2.4% 1.9% 2.6%
2026-11-16 09:45 PM
Food Inflation YoY
Oct 2.4% 2.6%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
CPI 1368.00 1359.00 points Sep 2026
Core Consumer Prices 1359.00 1346.00 points Sep 2026
CPI Housing Utilities 1496.00 1479.00 points Sep 2026
CPI Transportation 1386.00 1384.00 points Sep 2026
Export Prices 1671.00 1615.00 points Jun 2026
Food Inflation YoY 2.40 1.90 percent Sep 2026
GDP Deflator 1562.00 1560.00 points Jun 2026
Import Prices 1176.00 1034.00 points Jun 2026
Inflation Rate YoY 3.70 4.10 percent Sep 2026
Inflation Rate QoQ 0.70 1.50 percent Sep 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
2.40 1.90 25.20 -2.00 1961 - 2026 percent Monthly

News Stream
New Zealand Food Inflation at 3-Month High of 2.4%
Annual food inflation in New Zealand accelerated to 2.4% in September 2026 from 1.9% in the previous month, which was the softest increase since December 2024. It was the fastest increase in food inflation since June, as grocery food prices rose to 3.0% from 1.7% in August, making them the largest contributor to the annual increase in food prices. Inflation for restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food eased slightly to 3.1% from 3.2%, making it the second-largest contributor to the annual increase in food prices. Meanwhile, prices for meat, poultry, and fish increased by 3.2%, compared with 3.4% in August, while fruit and vegetable prices fell at a faster rate, declining 1.8% following a 1.6% drop in August. At the same time, prices for milk, cheese, and eggs fell more sharply (-0.6% vs -0.3% in August), while prices for oils and fats declined at a slower pace (-8.1% vs -10.6%). On a monthly basis, food prices were unchanged, following a 0.3% increase in August.
2026-10-15
New Zealand Food Inflation Stays at 19-Month Low
Annual food inflation in New Zealand stood at 1.9% in August 2026, unchanged from the previous month and marking the softest increase since December 2024. Inflation for restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food stood at 3.2%, unchanged from the previous month, and remained the largest contributor to the annual increase in food prices. Prices for meat, poultry, and fish increased by 3.4% (vs 3.2% in July), after marking the slowest rate since at least June 2025 in July, and recorded the second-largest contributor to the annual increase in food prices. Grocery food prices also accelerated (1.7% vs 1.6% in July), while fruit and vegetable prices fell at a faster rate, declining 1.6%, following a 1.0% drop in July. At the same time, milk, cheese, and egg prices also fell less sharply (-0.3% vs -0.9% in July), while oils and fats declined more sharply (-10.6% vs -6.3%). Monthly, food prices rose 0.3%, following a 0.1% gain in July and marking the fourth straight month of increases.
2026-09-17
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