Coasties heading to the supermarket might’ve noticed their grocery bill creeping up again.

Food prices rose 3.5 percent in the 12 months to March 2025, according to new figures from Stats NZ.

That’s up from a 2.4 percent increase the month before.

Most of the pressure is coming from two key areas—grocery staples, and meat, poultry, and fish.

Grocery food prices jumped 5.1 percent, largely driven by higher prices for milk, butter, and chocolate.

Butter saw the biggest leap, up a staggering 63.6 percent compared to this time last year.

The average price for a 250g block of chocolate is now $5.99—$1.60 more than it was three years ago.

Meat prices also played a role.

Beef mince hit $19.96 per kilo in March, nearly $2 more expensive than in March 2024.

Lamb leg and beef steak prices also climbed, pushing up the overall cost of the weekly meat shop.

There was a small silver lining—fruit and vegetable prices dropped 2.7 percent over the year.

That follows an even bigger drop in February, offering some relief for families trying to make fresh produce a regular part of their meals.

The month of March also saw non-alcoholic beverage prices rise by 1.1 percent, thanks to higher prices for instant coffee and soft drinks.

The cost of everyday essentials keeps climbing, especially for groceries and meat.

Lower prices for fruit and vegetables help a little, but many locals will be feeling the pinch.

With rent also edging up, households may need to keep a closer eye on spending as winter approaches.

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