2019.04.1019:45:00UTC+00New Zealand Food Prices Advance 0.5% In March

Food prices in New Zealand climbed an unadjusted 0.5 percent on month in March, Statistics New Zealand said on Thursday - following the 0.4 percent gain in February.

Seasonally adjusted food prices were flat in March.

Fruit and vegetable prices rose 3.7 percent (up 1.9 percent after seasonal adjustment) in March, while meat, poultry, and fish prices fell 1.3 percent, grocery food prices rose percent 0.6 percent, non-alcoholic beverage prices fell 0.6 percent and restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food prices rose 0.2 percent.

Avocado prices more than doubled in March compared with February.

"Avocado prices usually rise early in the year, and reach their highest levels around June," consumer prices manager Gael Price said. "However, this March's increase was much bigger than usual. Avocado prices were NZ$4.29 per 200g avocado, up from NZ$3.12 per 200g in March 2018."

Tomatoes cost an average of NZ$5.20 a kilo in March 2019, 44 percent higher than February 2019 and 12 percent higher than March 2018.

Bacon prices were 2.7 percent higher in March 2019. The average price for a 700g middle rasher from the supermarket was NZ$11.01 in March compared with NZ$10.71 in February.

Bread prices rose 1.1 percent in March. Egg prices also rose 0.4 percent in March 2019, 9.0 percent higher than March 2018.

Food prices increased 1.2 percent in the year ended March 2019.

Fruit and vegetable prices decreased 2.6 percent on year, while meat, poultry, and fish prices increased 0.9 percent, grocery food prices increased 1.4 percent, non-alcoholic beverage prices increased 2.1 percent and restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food prices increased 2.9 percent.