13 Nov 2019

Avocado prices lowest in almost three years as fruit, vegetable prices fall

2:15 pm on 13 November 2019

The price of avocados has been smashed to their lowest in almost three years, and the price of other fruit and veges are also falling.

avocado on plate

Photo: Unsplash / Alina Karpenko

Stats New Zealand says avocado prices are down to $7.50 a kilogram from a record high in May this year of $28.

Tomato, lettuce and cucumber prices all fell more than 20 percent between September and October, but strawberries and potatoes were up.

Food prices overall increased 2.5 percent in the year to October.

"Bacon prices continued to increase following the outbreak of African swine fever in China, up 24 percent in the year ending October, to a weighted average price of $13.37 per 700 grams," Stats NZ acting consumer prices manager Fiona Smillie said.

Ham prices rose 22 percent for the year ended October, to a weighted average price of $14.28 per kilogram.

"Not all meat, poultry, and fish prices have seen substantial increases this year. Chicken breast decreased 2.2 percent, to a weighted average price of $12.51 per kilogram," Ms. Smillie said.

Cheese prices rose six percent in the last year, eggs up four percent, and cakes and biscuits up seven percent.

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