Shoppers were left worse off by record prices for kumara and butter and a big hike in the price of avocados and soft drinks.

Food prices have jumped in June, fuelled by record prices for kumara and butter and a big hike in the price of avocados and soft drinks.

The average price of food rose 0.2 per cent in a single month, according to Statistics NZ, with kumara reaching $8.18 a kilo and a 500g block of the cheapest butter costing $5.05.

When compared with a year ago, food prices were up 3 per cent, Statistics NZ said.



The increase is well above the latest annual inflation rate of 2.2 per cent.



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Avocados were a luxury, costing $4.52 each – up from $3.38 in May – putting them back near the record price they reached in June last year.

STATISTICS NZ The food price index complied by Statistics NZ shows prices going up fast.

Consumer prices manager Matthew Haigh said fresh fruit and veggie prices dropped 0.4 per cent in June.

That was compared with May, when wet autumn weather caused prices to spike.

A drop in the price of lettuces and broccoli in June helped out.

TRADE ME Kumara at $8.18 a kilo weren't much cheaper than tomatoes ($8.69/kg) in June.

But shoppers were left worse off overall because of rising prices elsewhere in their trolleys, including for dairy.

Butter prices were up 25 cents on last month, and up $1.67 on June last year, Statistics NZ said.