Food prices still increasing year on year, white bread up 53%

Tuesday, 16 December 2025

Cost of living increases are still being felt at the supermarket checkout, with the prices of food staples up again year on year, in the latest Stats NZ analysis.

In the data out Tuesday, Stats NZ said the price of a white bread loaf had increased to $2.13 per 600g, up 53.2% from its price in November 2024.

“Bread is a staple food for many households,” Stats NZ prices and deflators spokesperson Nicola Growden said.

“It now costs 74 cents more for a loaf of white bread than this time last year.”

Milk was $4.91 per 2 litres, up 15.8% year on year. Another big mover was in beef, where porterhouse/sirloin steak was $45.39 per 1kg, up 26.7% in the year on year November analysis.

Meat, poultry and fish prices, when grouped, were up 7.7%, and overall, grocery prices were up 4.6% in the annual comparison.

Non-alcoholic drinks prices also climbed, up 4.4%, and alcoholic beverages were up 2.5%.

Up year on year, but down in the monthly data

While grocery prices were up year on year, the November prices had fallen 0.4% when compared with October 2025.

The fruit and vegetables subgroup was the main contributor to the overall prices decrease, down 4.5% over the month, a Stats NZ statement said.

A range of seasonal produce, including tomatoes, strawberries, cucumbers, and lettuce, featured in this decrease.

“Food prices have fallen in each of the past three months. This is the first time there has been more than two consecutive months of decrease since December 2023,” Growden said.

In other household spending areas covered by the Stats NZ survey, electricity prices were up 12.3%, and gas was up 17.3%. Petrol prices were up 2.8% and diesel 6.2%.

Domestic flights fares were down, -14.4% in the year on year November analysis.