New Zealand Food Inflation Accelerates to 3.2% in May

2026-06-15 22:53 By Chusnul Chotimah 1 min. read

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.



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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.
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