Food Prices Continue to Rise — What’s Getting More Expensive at the Supermarket?

Kiwis are feeling the pinch at the checkout as food prices keep climbing. According to new data from Stats NZ, food prices rose by 2.4% over the past 12 months to February 2025 — and the trend continued into March.

The main culprits behind the increase? Everyday essentials like grocery food, which jumped 5.1%, and meat, poultry, and fish, which weren’t far behind at 5.3%.

Among grocery items, milk, butter, and chocolate saw the sharpest hikes. Butter, in particular, has made a dramatic leap, increasing by a whopping 63.6% over the past year. To put that in perspective, a simple 250g block of chocolate now averages $5.99 — $1.60 more than just three years ago.

Stats NZ spokesperson Nicola Growden pointed out another big jump: “The weighted average price of 1kg of beef mince hit $19.96 in March 2025 — nearly $2 more than the same time last year.”

Despite these increases, there was a bit of relief at the produce aisle. Fruit and vegetable prices actually dropped by 2.7%, helping to slightly balance out the overall rise.

Looking at the month-to-month change, food prices rose by 0.5% in March, reversing the 0.5% dip seen in February. The biggest monthly movers were grocery items (up 0.9%) and non-alcoholic beverages (up 1.1%).

Chocolate and yogurt were key drivers of the higher grocery prices, while instant coffee and soft drinks were responsible for lifting beverage costs.

And if you’re wondering how New Zealand’s butter prices compare globally — you’re not alone. With a 60% price increase in just a year, many shoppers are questioning what’s behind these surges and how much longer they’ll last.