Supplier costs to Foodstuffs supermarkets rose 2.4% in December 2025, shaping what ends up on shelves.

That’s from the Infometrics-Foodstuffs New Zealand Grocery Supplier Cost Index (GSCI), commissioned by Foodstuffs New Zealand and reported by Infometrics.

“December’s result was in line with the rise seen in November,” said Infometrics Chief Executive and Principal Economist Brad Olsen.

Infometrics said the usual summer cost change moratorium limits the number of cost changes in December and January, with more seasonal and perishable items seeing movement.

Higher seasonal supply saw some produce costs fall, while costs rose for some specific items including potatoes and kiwifruit.

Limited protein supply globally has continued to keep meat and seafood costs higher.

Rising global milk supply has helped lower costs for milk, butter, and other dairy items.

Brad Olsen, Chief Executive and Principal Economist at Infometrics.

For Hibiscus Coast households watching the grocery bill, the index tracks what it costs supermarkets to buy goods to put on the shelf.

Previous analysis referenced with the index says supplier costs are a major component of supermarket prices, representing two-thirds of the on-shelf price.

Supplier costs rose across all but one department in December, year on year, with a slight annual decline in service deli costs overall.

Seafood and butchery costs rose the most, up 4.6%pa over 2025.

A pull-back in dairy costs moderated the rise in chilled foods to 2.5%pa.

Produce department costs were up 2.0%pa, driven by higher costs for items including potatoes, grapes, kiwifruit, and salads.

Month on month, just over 1,800 products increased in cost from November to December 2025.

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