Food prices rise in May

The price consumers paid for fresh vegetables soared by 16 percent in May driven by seasonally higher prices for lettuce, tomatoes and cucumbers.

Statistics New Zealand's latest figures show food prices overall rose by 0.6 percent.

However, fruit prices were down by 3.9 percent in May on average - with bananas down 14 percent selling for an average of $2.33 per kilo the cheapest price since August 2011.

Poultry meat and fish prices were down by 1.5 percent.

In the year to May 2014, food prices increased by 1.8 percent - with fruit and vege prices for the year up 5 percent, cheese 8.1 percent, butter 7.6 percent and fresh milk 11 percent.