Food prices in New Zealand have risen dramatically since 1960, with the index increasing from 45.9 to 1,341 by December 2025—a growth of over 2,800%.
1. Long-Term Inflation in Food Prices
Starting Point (1960): The food price index began at 45.92 in January 1960.
Growth Over 65 Years: By December 2025, the index reached 1,341 – an increase of over 2,800%.
Significant Milestones:
Crossed 100 in mid-1975.
Crossed 1,000 in mid-2017.
Reached 1,300+ in 2025.
2. Periods of Rapid Inflation
1970s–1980s: Sharp increases during the oil crisis and high inflation era. The index rose from ~62 in 1970 to ~880 by 1989.
Late 1980s–Early 1990s: Volatility with peaks and corrections.
Post-2020: Noticeable acceleration, especially from 2021 onward, coinciding with global supply chain disruptions and economic recovery post-COVID.
3. Subcategory Analysis: Fruit and Vegetables
Data for Fruit and vegetables begins in June 1999 with an index of 566.83.
Current Level (Dec 2025): 1,158 – an increase of ~104% since mid-1999.
Peak in 2023: Reached 1,350 in June 2023, reflecting high fresh produce inflation.
4. Fruit-Specific Trends
The Fruit sub-index started at 585.68 in June 1999.
December 2025 Value: 1,158 (same as fruit and vegetables aggregate).
Highest Recorded: 1,158 in December 2025, matching the broader subgroup.
5. Recent Inflation Surge (2020–2025)
The food index rose from ~1,034 in Jan 2020 to 1,341 in Dec 2025 – a ~30% increase in 5 years.
Fruit and vegetables rose from 875 in Jan 2020 to 1,158 in Dec 2025 – a ~32% increase.
6. Monthly Fluctuations and Seasonality
Regular fluctuations within years, especially in fruit/vegetable categories, likely due to seasonal supply changes.
Example: Fruit and vegetables dipped to 1,119 in April 2024 before rising again.
7. Data Completeness and Scope
Full dataset for total food from 1960 to 2025.
Fruit and vegetables data starts in 1999.
Fruit-only data also begins in 1999, allowing detailed subcategory tracking.
Summary of Key Takeaways
✅ Sustained long-term increase in NZ food prices over 65 years.
✅ Accelerated inflation post-2020, with indices rising sharply.
✅ Fruit and vegetables have seen significant price increases, peaking in mid-2023.
✅ High volatility in fresh produce reflects supply sensitivity and seasonal factors.
✅ Data provides granular tracking of food inflation at category and subcategory levels.
Data Source: Consumers Price Index - CPI, Food Price Index Level 1 Groups and Subgroups for New Zealand (Monthly), Statistics New Zealand. All values are index numbers with base periods defined by the series.
