Food prices rise

Food prices rose 1.0 percent in March 2004, according
to latest figures from Statistics New Zealand. The most significant
increase in March came from higher fruit and vegetable prices
(up 3.9 percent). These were driven by increased prices for
fresh vegetables (up 7.7 percent). Fruit and vegetable items
that made significant upward contributions included potatoes
(up 14.6 percent), lettuces (up 33.6 percent), and apples (up
11.6 percent). These price rises were partly offset by a price
decrease for tomatoes (down 11.5 percent).

Grocery food, soft drinks and confectionery prices rose 0.7
percent in March 2004. Significant upward price movements were
recorded for chocolate confectionery (up 5.7 percent), milk
(up 3.2 percent) and eggs (up 8.7 percent). These increases
were partly offset by a price decrease for coffee (down 9.6
percent).

Restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food prices rose 0.3 percent
in March 2004. Prices for ready-to-eat food increased by 0.3
percent and restaurant meal prices increased by 0.2 percent.

Meat, fish and poultry prices recorded an increase of 0.1 percent
in March 2004. The most significant upward contribution came
from higher prices for frozen chicken (up 6.7 percent) while
the most significant downward contribution came from lower prices
for fresh chicken (down 3.9 percent).

Food prices rose by 1.5 percent from March 2003 to March 2004.
The most significant upward contribution came from higher fruit
and vegetable prices (up 6.7 percent). This was followed by
grocery food, soft drinks and confectionery prices (up 1.2 percent)
and restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food prices (up 2.0 percent).
These increases were partly offset by price decreases for meat,
fish and poultry (down 1.9 percent).