Source: Statistics New Zealand
Annual food prices increase 4.5 percent – news story
17 March 2026
Food prices increased 4.5 percent in the 12 months to February 2026, following a 4.2 percent rise in the 12 months to January 2026, according to figures released by Stats NZ today.
Higher prices for the meat, poultry, and fish group, up 7.5 percent, contributed the most to the annual increase in food prices. This was followed by fruit and vegetables, up 9.4 percent annually.
The average price for:
- beef porterhouse/sirloin steak was $44.71 per kilogram (previously $36.80), up 21.5 percent annually
- a chocolate block was $6.88 per 250 grams (previously $5.72), up 20.3 percent annually
- beef mince was $24.46 per kilogram (previously $19.86), up 23.2 percent annually
- olive oil was $17.62 per litre (previously $22.63), down 22.1 percent annually
- fresh eggs was $8.77 per dozen (previously $9.35), down 6.2 percent annually
- potato crisps was $2.14 per 150 grams (previously $2.21), down 3.2 percent annually.
