Annual food inflation in New Zealand accelerated to 3.2% in May 2026 from April’s 14-month low of 2.6%, the first acceleration in three months. The increase was mainly driven by grocery food; meat, poultry, and fish; fruit; and restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food prices. Grocery food prices rose at the fastest pace in three months (2.4% vs 0.7% in April). Meanwhile, prices for meat, poultry, and fish increased by 6.9% (vs 7.8% in April), making the largest contribution to the annual increase in food prices, followed by restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food prices, which rose 3.3% (vs 2.7%). On a monthly basis, food prices rose 1.0% after being flat in April.