Shoppers may be forced to scrimp on food in New Zealand, which is currently experiencing its biggest annual rise in food prices in 13 years.
The latest data from Statistics New Zealand shows food prices have risen by 8.3% through August, the biggest annual increase since the global financial crisis in 2009.
A Statistics NZ spokeswoman said rising prices for eggs, yogurt and cheddar cheese were the main drivers of the grocery surge.
Like most countries, inflation is soaring in New Zealand with the consumer price index (CPI) at 7.3%, a 32-year high.
Retail food prices rose 8.7% over the year, meat and fish rose 7.6%, while tomatoes jumped 162.2% and butter prices rose 103%.
Inflation driven by many factors such as the monetary response to Covid-19, the problem of global supply disruptions and Russia's war in Ukraine, has triggered a spike in the cost of living in New Zealand.
However, on the other hand, it is good news for New Zealand exporters who have enjoyed profits worth $NZ2.8 billion over the past year.
Statistics NZ said the total export value of milk powder, butter and cheese increased by 17% in the year ending July 2022, to $NZ18.8 billion.
