Hibiscus Coast shoppers are still seeing food prices move around month to month.

Food price inflation reached 4.6% in January, according to Stats NZ, while Foodstuffs recorded a 4.0% year-on-year retail increase across its comparable basket.

Foodstuffs NZ Managing Director Chris Quin said the co-op’s basket has tracked below the national rate for 10 of the past 12 months.

“This Stats NZ number is a good benchmark and something we watch closely every month,” he said.

“It’s good to see that our comparable basket has been under the national food price inflation figure, reflecting the work our teams do to manage costs and pass value through to customers wherever we can.”

Strong pipfruit volumes are shaping up as one of the best seasons in decades, with growers in Hawke’s Bay and Nelson reporting excellent quality and high volumes.

“Our growers in Hawke’s Bay and Nelson tell us this season is shaping up as one of the best in the past 30 years, with excellent quality apples and strong volumes coming through,” Quin said.

Royal Gala remains the most popular variety, followed by Ambrosia and Granny Smith.

January price falls were led by kūmara (-15.4%), lettuce (-15.0%) and broccoli (-13.2%).

Olive oil dropped 18.3% and eggs fell 9.8%.

Red meat and kiwifruit prices remained high, with the steepest annual increases recorded for white bread (+62%), kiwifruit (+45.6%), lamb legs (+38.5%), cabbage (+33.0%), tomatoes (+29.3%), meat pies (+27.3%), beef mince (+24.5%) and porterhouse or sirloin steak (+22.8%).

“As New Zealand-owned co-ops, our focus is simple – stock high-quality products that give customers choice and real value,” Quin said.

“That means working with local growers and suppliers wherever we can, and sourcing alternatives when it helps keep prices down.”

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