New Zealand Food Inflation Hits 16-Month Low

2026-07-16 22:52 By Chusnul Chotimah 1 min. read

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.



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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.
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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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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.
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