12 Aug 2013

Cheese, veges led rise in July food prices

3:01 pm on 12 August 2013

Food prices have risen led by vegetables, cheese and bread.

Figures issued by Statistics New Zealand show the Food Price Index rose 0.5% in July, compared with June.

Lettuce and broccoli prices jumped 40%, while less discounting pushed up the cost of muesli bars. Those increases were partly offset by lower tomato and fruit prices.

The increase in the Food Price Index follows a gain of more than 2% in June. On an annual basis, food prices rose 0.9%.

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