14 Jun 2013

Food prices edge up in May

1:54 pm on 14 June 2013

The monthly cost of food has risen, led by higher prices for lettuce and cucumber.

Official figures show food prices rose 0.3% in May, with increases in the price of vegetables and meat offsetting lower fruit costs.

Statistics New Zealand says lettuce prices jumped by a third and cucumber prices more than doubled as their growing season ended, while kiwifruit and mandarin prices fell.

On an annual basis, food prices edged down 0.1% led by lower grocery prices.