Statistics NZ has released data that shows a 60 percent increase in the cost of a meat pie over the last thirteen years, with a gourmet pie now costing more than $10. The Statistics NZ monthly Food Price Index in June 2006 listed the average retail cost of a pie at $2.68, while the figures from December 2018 showed and increase to $4.30. Inflation isn’t the only thing to blame – the changing tastes of New Zealand consumers has meant that higher quality ingredients are now being used across the board, and a simple jellied mince pie isn’t the sure-fire winner that it used to be.
The increased demand for free range and locally sourced ingredients has also played its part in the price rise.
Bakery Industry Association NZ board member Michael Gray said that rising ingredient prices and labour costs had meant that those costs were being passed on to the consumer.
“If you're going to stay in business, you've got to pass those costs on,” he said. “There's only so much you can absorb.”
“Beef and lamb has gone up around 60 per cent, there's been droughts in Australia. The bulk of New Zealand wheat comes from Australia. Then Russia has had wildfires that wiped out the wheat crop, which put pressure on other markets. Butter or margarine – everyone knows how much that's gone up. Nowadays we pay $5 for a brick of gold.”
