14 Feb 2014

Food prices up in January

12:17 pm on 14 February 2014

Higher prices for fruits, vegetables and some meats drove the overall cost of food higher in January.

Statistics New Zealand said the food price index rose 1.2 percent between December and January.

Some of the monthly increase was offset by lower cheese, milk and egg prices.

Food prices are now 0.9 percent than a year ago.

Food prices make up almost 19 percent of the consumer price index.