Hibiscus Coast shoppers should see sharper fruit and vege value this summer as seasonal supply builds.

Foodstuffs says summer supply is pushing produce prices down across New Zealand.

Stats NZ reported annual food price inflation of 4.0% for December.

Foodstuffs says its comparable basket rose 3.5% year on year.

Some of the biggest December price drops were cucumbers (down 37.0%), lettuce (-19.4%), cauliflower (-19.3%), courgettes (-18.7%), broccoli (-17.5%) and kumara (-14.9%).

Foodstuffs Managing Director Chris Quin says, “The summer months are prime time for salads, and in December lettuce and cucumbers were in strong supply.”

He also points to stone fruit coming through well and Central Otago cherries in a short six-week season.

Not everything is cheaper.

Kiwifruit rose 66.8% year on year, with the local season finishing early and a switch to imported supply.

Tomatoes were up 33.2%, with lower planting and strong export demand.

Foodstuffs says supplier costs rose 4.7% year on year for products in its basket.

The Infometrics Grocery Supplier Cost Index was up 2.4% a year.

Red meat supply is steady, but global demand is keeping prices elevated, including beef steak (up 25.4%) and lamb chops (+18.3%).

Quin says promoted cuts can offer value, while chicken and pork remain more affordable.

Looking ahead, Foodstuffs says summer harvest will keep building into February, with sweetcorn, watermelon and new-season apples coming through.

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