Kiwifruit prices were at an all-time high in December 2019, with prices for seasonal fruit and vegetables also up, new figures from Stats NZ show.
"Kiwifruit prices rose 32 percent in December to a weighted average price of $8.27 per kilo, an all-time high," said acting consumer prices manager James Griffin.
"This compares with $4.24 in December last year."
The price rises for kiwifruit contributed to a 2.1 percent increase in overall fruit and vegetable prices in December.
Seasonal fruit and vegetables, in particular potatoes, apples, and onions, were the main contributors to the rise in fruit and vegetable prices between November and December.
Potatoes rose 18 percent, apples were up 16 percent, while onion prices were up 8.9 percent.
Stats NZ said the price rises for potatoes, apples, and onions were typical in December, and were partly offset by nectarine prices (down 24 percent) and lettuce prices (down 18 percent).
Offsetting fruit and vegetable prices, grocery food prices were down 1.0 percent in December 2019. Potato crisps (down 4.8 percent), and chocolate biscuits (down 6.5 percent) were the main drivers of this fall.
The fall in grocery food prices contributed to overall food prices decreasing 0.2 percent in December.
Meat, poultry, and fish prices were up 4.2 percent for the year, mainly driven by preserved, prepared, and processed meats, in particular bacon, ham, and sausages.
