Prices of greens falling

Prices of greens are dropping a little bit. Supplied photo.

Vegetable prices fell for the fourth consecutive month in December, led by cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower.

"This seasonal movement is expected as we move through summer – December has been the cheapest month for these kinds of vegetable for the past five years," says Statistics New Zealand consumer prices manager Matt Haigh.

"Citrus fruits are also following their seasonal trend, rising 11 percent in December."

Food prices fell 0.8 per cent overall in December. Lower food prices were seen across most food items in December 2016, with non-alcoholic beverages falling 3.1 per cent.

After seasonal adjustment, food prices fell 0.5 per cent.

In spite of the seasonal decrease, overall food prices increased by 0.6 percent in the year to December 2016, led by vegetables, milk, and butter. Milk rose 6.1 percent in the year, to $3.32 for two litres, and butter rose 34 percent, to $4.12 for a 500g block.

Monthly change

Food prices fell 0.8 per cent in the December 2016 month. After seasonal adjustment, food prices fell 0.5 per cent.

In December 2016 compared with November 2016:

Fruit and vegetable prices rose 0.1 percent (down 0.4 per cent after seasonal adjustment).

Meat, poultry, and fish prices fell 1.5 per cent.

Grocery food prices fell 0.9 percent (down 0.6 per cent after seasonal adjustment).

Non-alcoholic beverage prices fell 3.1 per cent.

Restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food prices rose 0.1 per cent.

Annual change

Food prices rose 0.6 per cent in the year to December 2016.

In December 2016 compared with December 2015:

Fruit and vegetable prices fell 0.8 per cent.

Meat, poultry, and fish prices fell 0.2 per cent.

Grocery food prices rose 0.9 per cent.

Non-alcoholic beverage prices fell 0.5 per cent.

Restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food prices rose 1.8 per cent.

Key average prices

Two litres of blue-top milk was $3.32 in December 2016.

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