Thursday, 13 October 2016 14:26

Food prices fall on cheaper chicken

Written by Rural News Group

font size decrease font size increase font size
Print
Email

Chicken prices fell 0.9% for the month, and 11% over the year to September 2016.

Food prices fell 0.9% in September 2016, influenced by seasonally lower prices for vegetables and cheaper chicken prices, Statistics New Zealand says.

Chicken prices fell 0.9% for the month, and 11% over the year to September 2016. Prices have fallen on an annual basis for the last 16 months to reach their lowest level since October 2007.

"Chicken prices peaked in December 2014, when the average price of a kilo of chicken breasts was $16.60," consumer prices manager Matt Haigh says.

"In September 2016 the average price had fallen to $13.52.

“The generally falling prices for chicken in recent months are the result of expanded investment in farming operations by the New Zealand poultry industry," Poultry Industry Association executive director Michael Brooks says. "With supply decisions being made one to two years ahead, temporary periods of under- or over-supply can occur and affect prices accordingly.”

Chicken consumed in New Zealand is locally produced, so prices can fluctuate in the local market.

Fruit and vegetable prices fell 5.1% in September 2016, reflecting seasonally lower prices for tomatoes, capsicum, lettuce, and cucumber. After seasonal adjustment, fruit and vegetable prices rose 0.4%.

Overall food prices increased 0.1% in the year to September 2016.

More like this

Editorial: Don't take away farmers' tools

OPINION: Farmers are being put on notice by the Green Party.

Going Green

OPINION: The Green Party’s rivers and oceans policy may have a new name but nothing else has changed.

Political Points

OPINION: Staying on Plan Change 1, NZ First deputy leader Shane Jones took to social media to gain some political points.

Waitoa launches QR-enabled campaign to trace free range chicken

Poultry producer Waitoa is launching a new campaign, complete with on-pack QR codes, giving Kiwis the ability to trace their free range chicken back to the farms where it was raised.

Why is butter so expensive in New Zealand? Fonterra explains

Kiwis love their butter, and that's great because New Zealand produces some of the best butter in the world. But when the price of butter goes up, it's tough for some, particularly when many other grocery staples have also gone up and the heat goes on co-operative Fonterra, the country's main butter maker. Here the co-op explains why butter prices are so high right now.

Featured

Editorial: Hunting Policy Misses The Mark

OPINION: As the general election approaches, political parties are churning out policies in the hope of attracting more votes.

Timaru-Bred Bull Takes Out 2026 Mahoe Trophy

An LIC bull, Tronnoco AR Sadio-ET S3F, bred by Tony and Keri O'Connor of Tronnoco Farming Co Ltd near Timaru, has won the 2026 Mahoe Trophy.

Ballance Urges Farmers to Plan Ahead for El Niño

With forecasters advising El Niño conditions will develop through winter and strengthen into spring and summer, Ballance Agri-Nutrients is encouraging farmers and growers to think ahead about nutrient planning and be prepared to work around challenging weather conditions.

Why 'Fork to Farm' Beats Farm to Fork, Expert Says

In the past, much has been made of the concept of farm to fork, but an Australian expert in food science and marketing with experience in the dairy industry, Dr Angeline Achariya, says the reverse of this slogan is critical to win modern day consumers.

George Dodson on Efficiency and Low-Cost Dairy Farming

Efficiency is the big one because it tracks back into what is done on farm.

Four-Year Trial Confirms Plantain Cuts N Losses 33%

A four year trial has reaffirmed that mixing plantain into dairy pastures can help reduce nitrogen losses to freshwater while maintaining milk production and profitability, say researchers.