Source: Statistics New Zealand
Annual food prices increase 4.0 percent – news story
16 January 2026
Food prices increased 4.0 percent in the 12 months to December 2025, following a 4.4 percent increase in the 12 months to November 2025, according to figures released by Stats NZ today.
Higher prices for the grocery food group, up 4.6 percent, contributed the most to the annual increase in food prices. This was followed by meat, poultry, and fish, up 7.4 percent annually.
The average price for:
- milk was $4.92 per 2 litres (previously $4.25), up 15.8 percent annually
- beef steak – porterhouse was $44.30 per kilogram (previously $36.39), up 21.7 percent annually
- white bread was $2.20 per 600 grams (previously $1.39), up 58.3 percent annually.
The average prices for milk and bread represent the cheapest available options.
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