Fruit and vegetable prices up in July

Food prices were up 1.3 percent in July 2021 compared with June 2021, mainly influenced by higher prices for fruit and vegetables, and grocery foods, Stats NZ said today.

"Fruit and vegetable prices generally rise in winter as lots of summer produce is out of season and becomes more expensive," consumer prices manager Katrina Dewbery said.

The rise in fruit and vegetable prices was mainly influenced by higher prices for tomatoes (up 21 percent), broccoli (up 39 percent), and strawberries (up 34 percent).

The weighted average price of a 350g broccoli head was $4.13 in July, an all-time high and $0.43 more expensive than the previous high in May 2017.

Fruit and vegetable prices rose 5.1 percent in the July 2021 month, but only up 0.8 percent after adjusting for seasonality effects.

"Fruit and vegetables often go in and out of season with large fluctuations in prices, however we can use the seasonally adjusted index to get a better understanding of what the price movement would be without the normal seasonal effects," Mrs Dewbery said.

Dairy prices rise for consumers in July

Prices for milk (standard homogenised) rose 3.3 percent in July to an all-time high weighted average price of $3.78 per 2 litre bottle, following rising global dairy trade prices between December 2020 and March 2021.

"We often see a lag before consumer dairy prices in New Zealand are affected by the global prices," Mrs Dewbery said.

Prices for all dairy products that we measure rose in the month, but the main contributors, in order, are:

• fresh milk (standard homogenised and calcium-enriched), up 3.0 percent
• yoghurt, 6 pack, up 2.1 percent
• butter, up 2.7 percent
• cream, up 3.9 percent.