In April 2025, the food price index in New Zealand had risen by around *** percent in comparison to the same period of the previous year. The rising cost of food products contributed to the overall increasing cost of living in the country.

Cost of food in New Zealand increased 4.70 percent in October of 2025 over the same month in the previous year. This dataset provides - New Zealand Food Inflation - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

This Australian and New Zealand food category cost dataset was created to inform diet and economic modelling for low and medium socioeconomic households in Australia and New Zealand. The dataset was created according to the INFORMAS protocol, which details the methods to systematically and consistently collect and analyse information on the price of foods, meals and affordability of diets in different countries globally. Food categories were informed by the Food Standards Australian New Zealand (FSANZ) AUSNUT (AUStralian Food and NUTrient Database) 2011-13 database, with additional food categories created to account for frequently consumed and culturally important foods.

Methods The dataset was created according to the INFORMAS protocol [1], which detailed the methods to collect and analyse information systematically and consistently on the price of foods, meals, and affordability of diets in different countries globally.

Cost data were collected from four supermarkets in each country: Australia and New Zealand. In Australia, two (Coles Merrylands and Woolworths Auburn) were located in a low and two (Coles Zetland and Woolworths Burwood) were located in a medium metropolitan socioeconomic area in New South Wales from 7-11th December 2020. In New Zealand, two (Countdown Hamilton Central and Pak ‘n Save Hamilton Lake) were located in a low and two (Countdown Rototuna North and Pak ‘n Save Rosa Birch Park) in a medium socioeconomic area in the North Island, from 16-18th December 2020.

Locations in Australia were selected based on the Australian Bureau of Statistics Index of Relative Socio-Economic Advantage and Disadvantage (IRSAD) [2]. The index ranks areas from most disadvantaged to most advantaged using a scale of 1 to 10. IRSAD quintile 1 was chosen to represent low socio-economic status and quintile 3 for medium SES socio-economic status. Locations in New Zealand were chosen using the 2018 NZ Index of Deprivation and statistical area 2 boundaries [3]. Low socio-economic areas were defined by deciles 8-10 and medium socio-economic areas by deciles 4-6. The supermarket locations were chosen according to accessibility to researchers. Data were collected by five trained researchers with qualifications in nutrition and dietetics and/or nutrition science.

All foods were aggregated into a reduced number of food categories informed by the Food Standards Australian New Zealand (FSANZ) AUSNUT (AUStralian Food and NUTrient Database) 2011-13 database, with additional food categories created to account for frequently consumed and culturally important foods. Nutrient data for each food category can therefore be linked to the Australian Food and Nutrient (AUSNUT) 2011-13 database [4] and NZ Food Composition Database (NZFCDB) [5] using the 8-digit codes provided for Australia and New Zealand, respectively.

Data were collected for three representative foods within each food category, based on criteria used in the INFORMAS protocol: (i) the lowest non-discounted price was chosen from the most commonly available product size, (ii) the produce was available nationally, (iii) fresh produce of poor quality was omitted. One sample was collected per representative food product per store, leading to a total of 12 food price samples for each food category. The exception was for the ‘breakfast cereal, unfortified, sugars ≤15g/100g’ food category in the NZ dataset, which included only four food price samples because only one representative product per supermarket was identified.

Variables in this dataset include: (i) food category and description, (ii) brand and name of representative food, (iii) product size, (iv) cost per product, and (v) 8-digit code to link product to nutrient composition data (AUSNUT and NZFCDB).

References

Vandevijvere, S.; Mackay, S.; Waterlander, W. INFORMAS Protocol: Food Prices Module [Internet]. Available online: https://auckland.figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/INFORMAS_Protocol_Food_Prices_Module/5627440/1 (accessed on 25 October).
2071.0 - Census of Population and Housing: Reflecting Australia - Stories from the Census, 2016 Available online: https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Lookup/by Subject/2071.0~2016~Main Features~Socio-Economic Advantage and Disadvantage~123 (accessed on 10 December).
Socioeconomic Deprivation Indexes: NZDep and NZiDep, Department of Public Health. Available online: https://www.otago.ac.nz/wellington/departments/publichealth/research/hirp/otago020194.html#2018 (accessed on 10 December)
AUSNUT 2011-2013 food nutrient database. Available online: https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/science/monitoringnutrients/ausnut/ausnutdatafiles/Pages/foodnutrient.aspx (accessed on 15 November).
NZ Food Composition Data. Available online: https://www.foodcomposition.co.nz/ (accessed on 10 December)

Usage Notes The uploaded data includes an Excel spreadsheet where a separate worksheet is provided for the Australian food price database and New Zealand food price database, respectively. All cost data are presented to two decimal points, and the mean and standard deviation of each food category is presented. For some representative foods in NZ, the only NFCDB food code available was for a cooked product, whereas the product is purchased raw and cooked prior to eating, undergoing a change in weight between the raw and cooked versions. In these cases, a conversion factor was used to account for the weight difference between the raw and cooked versions, to ensure that nutrient information (on accessing from the NZFCDB) was accurate. This conversion factor was developed based on the weight differences between the cooked and raw versions, and checked for accuracy by comparing quantities of key nutrients in the cooked vs raw versions of the product.

New Zealand Food Price Index: Grocery Food: Milk, Cheese & Eggs data was reported at 1,302.000 Jun2006=1000 in Dec 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 1,301.000 Jun2006=1000 for Nov 2017. New Zealand Food Price Index: Grocery Food: Milk, Cheese & Eggs data is updated monthly, averaging 1,167.000 Jun2006=1000 from Jun 1999 (Median) to Dec 2017, with 223 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,351.000 Jun2006=1000 in Jun 2014 and a record low of 880.000 Jun2006=1000 in Mar 2000. New Zealand Food Price Index: Grocery Food: Milk, Cheese & Eggs data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics New Zealand. The data is categorized under Global Database’s New Zealand – Table NZ.I010: Food Price Index: Jun2006=1000.

New Zealand Food Price Index: Grocery Food: Oils & Fats data was reported at 1,591.000 Jun2006=1000 in Dec 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1,626.000 Jun2006=1000 for Nov 2017. New Zealand Food Price Index: Grocery Food: Oils & Fats data is updated monthly, averaging 1,247.000 Jun2006=1000 from Jun 1999 (Median) to Dec 2017, with 223 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,641.000 Jun2006=1000 in Oct 2017 and a record low of 875.000 Jun2006=1000 in Oct 2000. New Zealand Food Price Index: Grocery Food: Oils & Fats data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics New Zealand. The data is categorized under Global Database’s New Zealand – Table NZ.I010: Food Price Index: Jun2006=1000.

In November 2024, the monthly change in the food price index of eggs in New Zealand amounted to *** percent. Across the given period, the sharpest increase in the food price index of eggs in the country was witnessed in February 2023.

New Zealand Food Price Index: Fruit & Vegetables data was reported at 1,266.000 Jun2006=1000 in Dec 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1,288.000 Jun2006=1000 for Nov 2017. New Zealand Food Price Index: Fruit & Vegetables data is updated monthly, averaging 1,066.000 Jun2006=1000 from Jun 1999 (Median) to Dec 2017, with 223 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,492.000 Jun2006=1000 in Aug 2017 and a record low of 746.000 Jun2006=1000 in Nov 1999. New Zealand Food Price Index: Fruit & Vegetables data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics New Zealand. The data is categorized under Global Database’s New Zealand – Table NZ.I010: Food Price Index: Jun2006=1000.

This data set is New Zealand's Food Price Index. The food price index (FPI) measures the changes in prices that households pay for food.

Food prices increased 6.8 percent in the year ended May 2022.

In May 2022 compared with May 2021:

• fruit and vegetable prices increased 10 percent
• meat, poultry, and fish prices increased 7.0 percent
• grocery food prices increased 7.4 percent
• non-alcoholic beverage prices increased 2.7 percent
• restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food prices increased 6.0 percent.

Use Infoshare to access the food price index time series:

Subject category: Economic indicators Group: Consumers price index – CPI

New Zealand Food Price Index: Grocery Food: Bread & Cereals: Other Cereal Products data was reported at 1,291.000 Jun2006=1000 in Dec 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1,314.000 Jun2006=1000 for Nov 2017. New Zealand Food Price Index: Grocery Food: Bread & Cereals: Other Cereal Products data is updated monthly, averaging 1,311.000 Jun2006=1000 from Jun 2006 (Median) to Dec 2017, with 139 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,454.000 Jun2006=1000 in Sep 2009 and a record low of 1,000.000 Jun2006=1000 in Jun 2006. New Zealand Food Price Index: Grocery Food: Bread & Cereals: Other Cereal Products data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics New Zealand. The data is categorized under Global Database’s New Zealand – Table NZ.I010: Food Price Index: Jun2006=1000.

This table contains a selection of weighted average retail prices for the current and previous months. These weighted average retail prices were calculated from prices collected in the June 2006 month. Subsequent months' weighted average prices are then calculated by applying price index movements for the relevant items. These are not statistically accurate measures of average transaction price levels, but are reliable indicators of percentage changes in prices.

New Zealand Food Price Index: Grocery Food: Bread & Cereals: Bread data was reported at 1,163.000 Jun2006=1000 in Dec 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1,202.000 Jun2006=1000 for Nov 2017. New Zealand Food Price Index: Grocery Food: Bread & Cereals: Bread data is updated monthly, averaging 972.197 Jun2006=1000 from Jan 1989 (Median) to Dec 2017, with 348 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,413.000 Jun2006=1000 in May 2012 and a record low of 579.682 Jun2006=1000 in Jan 1989. New Zealand Food Price Index: Grocery Food: Bread & Cereals: Bread data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics New Zealand. The data is categorized under Global Database’s New Zealand – Table NZ.I010: Food Price Index: Jun2006=1000.

Graph and download economic data for Consumer Price Index: Food for New Zealand (NZLCPIFODQINMEI) from Q1 1984 to Q1 2018 about New Zealand, food, CPI, price index, indexes, and price.

In April 2025, the food price index of fruit and vegetables in New Zealand was ****. During the reported period, the food price index of fruit and vegetables in the country reached a peak in June 2023.

Graph and download economic data for Consumer Price Index: Total Food Excluding Restaurants for New Zealand (CPGDFD02NZQ657N) from Q1 1984 to Q1 2018 about restaurant, New Zealand, food, goods, CPI, price index, indexes, and price.

Graph and download economic data for Consumer Price Index: Total Food Excluding Restaurants for New Zealand (CPGDFD02NZA659N) from 1984 to 2017 about restaurant, New Zealand, food, goods, CPI, price index, indexes, and price.

New Zealand supermarkets, grocery stores and convenience stores derive stable revenue from sales of essential items like bread, milk, fresh produce and household staples, shielding them from significant downturns. The pandemic briefly spurred stockpiling, but inflationary pressures in 2022–23 forced operators to adopt new discounting strategies, especially as rising costs couldn’t always be passed on to budget-conscious shoppers. Demand shifted to private-label products, reflecting consumers’ desire for cost-effective alternatives. While staples continue to anchor demand, these pressures have contributed to an overall decline in industry revenue. Even so, industry retailers still hold an advantage over non-essential retailers by offering core goods that remain indispensable in the consumer basket. Revenue is expected to have crept downwards at an annualised 0.2% over the five years through 2025-26, including an anticipated 0.3% dip in 2025-26, to total $27.3 billion. The industry is highly concentrated, with Foodstuffs and Woolworths earning about 80% of revenue. Fierce rivalry, rising supplier costs and cautious consumer behaviour have eroded industry profitability, though cost-of-living pressures have increased private-label sales. In 2024, both major players faced higher operating expenses, narrower profitability and mounting logistic challenges linked to inflation. To regain momentum in 2025, operators are looking to streamline costs through supply chain automation and by broadening their private-label offerings, reflecting an ongoing effort to balance aggressive pricing strategies with sustainable margins in a challenging retail environment. As sentiment remains below pre-pandemic levels, supermarkets are projected to emphasise essentials and mid-range goods while selectively enhancing premium ranges. Private-label products will continue to gain traction as in-house production helps contain costs and boost margins. Online shopping is poised to become more prominent through improved apps, personalised promotions and streamlined logistics, though heightened overhead costs may erode profitability if unmanaged. Operators that use data analytics effectively will tailor supply chains, maintain loyalty and capture untapped demand. Over the next five years, this integrated approach, combining private labels and strong digital channels, is set to shape the industry’s profitability and consumer engagement. Revenue is forecast to climb at an annualised 1.5% over the five years through 2030-31 to $29.4 billion.

In 2024, after two years of growth, there was decline in the New Zealand baby food market, when its value decreased by -3% to $97M. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% from 2012 to 2024; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Baby food consumption peaked at $100M in 2023, and then contracted slightly in the following year.

New Zealand Food Price Index: Grocery Food data was reported at 1,256.000 Jun2006=1000 in Dec 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1,272.000 Jun2006=1000 for Nov 2017. New Zealand Food Price Index: Grocery Food data is updated monthly, averaging 1,163.000 Jun2006=1000 from Jun 1999 (Median) to Dec 2017, with 223 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,304.000 Jun2006=1000 in Feb 2012 and a record low of 876.000 Jun2006=1000 in Dec 1999. New Zealand Food Price Index: Grocery Food data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics New Zealand. The data is categorized under Global Database’s New Zealand – Table NZ.I010: Food Price Index: Jun2006=1000.

Graph and download economic data for Producer Prices Index: Economic Activities: Manufacture of Food Products: Total for New Zealand (PIEAFD01NZA661N) from 1995 to 2021 about New Zealand, food, production, manufacturing, PPI, price index, indexes, and price.

Graph and download economic data for Consumer Price Index: OECD Groups: All Items Non-Food Non-Energy: Total for New Zealand (CPGRLE01NZA657N) from 1970 to 2022 about New Zealand, core, all items, CPI, inflation, price index, indexes, and price.