Statistics New Zealand reported that food prices fell 0.2 percent m-o-m in July, following a 0.2 percent m-o-m increase in June.

The major contributor to the monthly decline was decreased fruit prices (-5.2 percent m-o-m), led by falls in prices for avocados (-29 percent m-o-o) and strawberries (-23 percent m-o-m). "Strawberries are unseasonably cheap for this time of year," consumer prices manager Matthew Haigh said. "They typically reach their lowest price in December, but are currently dropping in price due to more imports from Australia." However, the decline in fruit prices was partially offset by a gain in vegetable prices (+1.6 percent m-o-m).

At the same time, meat, poultry, and fish prices (-0.8 percent m-o-m) fell, while grocery food prices (+0.2 percent m-o-m), non-alcoholic beverage prices (+0.3 percent m-o-m) and restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food prices (+0.2 percent m-o-m) rose.

In y-o-y terms, food prices increased 3 percent for the second straight month.