Food prices 3.5% higher in March 2025 compared to last year

Food prices have steadily increased in March, with the monthly change driven by higher prices for grocery food and non-alcoholic beverages. According to the latest Stats NZ Selected Price Index, monthly food prices increased by 0.5% in March compared with a 0.

5% monthly decrease in February. But on an annual basis, food prices were 3.5% higher than in March 2024.



Grocery food and non-alcoholic beverages had the biggest monthly impact on food price in March 2025, up 0.9% and 1.1%, respectively.

Higher prices for chocolate and yoghurt drove the increase in grocery food prices, while higher prices for instant coffee and soft drinks drove the increase in non-alcoholic beverage prices..