Food prices fell last month as cheaper fruit and vegetables offset a rise in meat
The food price index dropped 0.5 percent on the previous month, driven by a 5 percent fall in fresh fruit and vegetables.
Vege prices dropped, while beef rose. Photo: RNZ / Diego Opatowski
Statistics New Zealand said food prices were 0.7 percent higher in the 12 months to September, reflecting record prices for beef, which have risen because of strong export demand.
However, a slide in global dairy prices has fed through to cheaper cheese and milk, which is at its lowest level in two years.
Food prices make up about a fifth of the consumer price index, which will be updated on Friday with expectations for the annual inflation rate to hold at around 0.3 percent.