Stats New Zealand's December 2022 food price index has revealed that New Zealand households have experienced the largest increase in food prices in 32 years.
The report found that in comparison to December 2021, food prices increased by 11.3 percent in 2022.
Fruit and vegetable prices shot up the most, coming in with a staggering rise of 23 percent.
According to Stats NZ, the most significant drivers in this category were potatoes, tomatoes and kiwifruit.
Meat, poultry, seafood and general grocery prices prices followed with an increase of 11 percent.
Stats NZ consume prices manager James Mitchell remarked that within the grocery food category - items like cheddar cheese, eggs and potato chips saw significant price increases.
Restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food prices rose by 7.8 percent while non-alcoholic beverage prices went up by 7.3 percent.
In comparison to November 2022, the December 2022 food price index found that prices spiked by 1.1%.
