In December 2025, New Zealand's annual food inflation eased to 4%, down from 4.4% the previous month. The grocery food category, which experienced a 4.6% rise compared to the previous year, had the largest impact on the overall food price increase. The prices of meat, poultry, and fish surged by 7.4% year-on-year. Both restaurant dining and ready-to-eat foods, along with fruits and vegetables, saw a rise of 2.4%, whereas non-alcoholic beverages increased by 3.6%.