Chocolate prices soar by 20% as food costs climb, but there is relief elsewhere

Tuesday, 17 February 2026

Kiwis looking to satisfy their sweet tooth are in for a shock, with the price of chocolate jumping 20.5% in the past year.

The average price for a 250-gram block now sits at $6.89, up from $5.72 in January 2025.

This sharp increase is part of a broader rise in food prices, which have gone up 4.6% in the 12 months to January 2026, following a 4.0% increase in the previous year, according to Stats NZ.

While chocolate lovers feel the pinch, other food items are also seeing significant price hikes. Beef porterhouse and sirloin steaks have risen by 22.9% to an average of $45.48 per kilogram, while the cost of a 600-gram loaf of white bread has surged by 57.9%. Takeaway coffee is now averaging $5.16 per cup, marking a 6.6% increase.

Some items have seen price decreases. The cost of soft drinks fell by 3.5% to $3.32 per 1.5 litres, while potato crisps dropped 5.0%, now costing $2.10 for a 150-gram bag. Olive oil, too, has seen a significant decrease of 21.7%, bringing the price down to $17.61 per litre.

January brings a bigger bite

In January 2026, food prices spiked 2.1% compared to December 2025, marking the largest monthly increase in four years. The grocery food group contributed the most to this surge, up 2.3%. Fruit and vegetables saw a notable rise, climbing 6.7% from December to January. Chocolate boxes were particularly hit, with a 62.8% monthly price increase, now averaging $12.57 per 250 grams.

Fuel prices dip

In contrast to food, petrol and diesel prices decreased in January. Petrol fell by 2.4% and diesel by 3.2%, providing some relief at the pump.

CORRECTION: This article has been updated following a Stats NZ error notification, saying the January food prices increase was 2.1%, rather than 2.5% as first stated.