Food prices in New Zealand eased a seasonally adjusted 0.1 percent on month in November, Statistics New Zealand said on Tuesday - following the 0.8 percent decline in October.
Individually, fruit and vegetable prices were down 0.9 percent, while meat, poultry, and fish prices gained 0.5 percent.
Grocery food prices added 0.6 percent, while non-alcoholic beverage prices gained 0.7 percent and restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food prices were up 0.1 percent.
"Prices for the cheapest available cheddar cheese rose 17 percent in October, to NZ$8.44 a kilogram," consumer prices manager Matt Haigh said. "Cheese prices overall rose 7.9 percent."
On a yearly basis, food prices picked up 0.6 percent.
Fruit and vegetable prices advanced 0.6 percent, while meat, poultry, and fish prices slid 1.4 percent.
Grocery food prices jumped 1.2 percent on year, while non-alcoholic beverage prices fell 0.9 percent and restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food prices rose 2.0 percent.
"Fresh milk prices rose 6.1 percent in the year, to an average price of NZ$3.33 for two liters of blue-top milk," Haigh said. "This is the highest annual increase in milk prices since November 2014, when the average price was NZ$3.71."
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