WELLINGTON: New Zealand’s food-price index fell 0.5% on month in September but rose 0.7% on the year, Statistics New Zealand said Tuesday.
“Fruit and vegetable prices increased 5.3% over the year, with higher prices for avocados, lettuce, potatoes, and bananas,” consumer prices manager Matt Haigh said. Fruit prices increased 7.8%, while vegetable prices increased 3.9%. On the month, the index was weighed by lower fruit and vegetable prices, which fell 5.0%.
The food-price index measures the rate of price changes for food and food services purchased by households. Statistics New Zealand visits shops across New Zealand to collect prices for the index and checks sizes of packaged goods, such as coffee, soft drinks and juices.
