Foodstuffs reports 1.6% annual rise in its September food basket
Foodstuffs’ 19 October 2026 update reports cheaper fresh greens and eggs than a year earlier, alongside increases for some other staples.
A retailer’s view of September prices
Foodstuffs said on 19 October that prices in its comparable food price index basket were 1.6% higher in September than a year earlier. The co-operatives operate New World, PAK’nSAVE and Four Square.
The update is Foodstuffs’ own account of its basket. It does not establish which retailer has the cheapest groceries or what a particular household paid.[1]
The changes were uneven
Foodstuffs reported annual falls for cabbage, tomatoes, lettuce and eggs. It also reported increases for onions and potatoes. The company said unusually low prices a year earlier contributed to some of the larger increases.
It also flagged a weaker New Zealand dollar and higher fuel costs as pressures on imported groceries and supply chains. Those comments describe the company’s assessment, rather than a forecast of specific shelf prices.[1]
Check the items you plan to buy
Use broad price updates as context when planning meals. Compare current recorded prices for the produce and staples you need, and check the retailer before buying. Individual store prices and pack sizes still matter.[1]