Annual food inflation in New Zealand accelerated to 2.4% in September 2026 from 1.9% in the previous month, which was the softest increase since December 2024. It was the fastest increase in food inflation since June, as inflation for grocery food prices accelerated to 3.0% from 1.7% in August, making it the largest contributor to the annual increase in food prices. Inflation for restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food eased slightly to 3.1% from 3.2%, making it the second-largest contributor to the annual increase in food prices. Meanwhile, prices for meat, poultry, and fish increased by 3.2%, compared with 3.4% in August, while fruit and vegetable prices fell at a faster rate, declining 1.8% following a 1.6% drop in August.