WELLINGTON, May 13 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand's monthly food prices rose 0.6 percent in April 2024 compared with March 2024, while international airfares rose 7.2 percent in the same month, according to the statistics department Stats NZ on Monday.

Last month was the first monthly rise in food prices in three months, which was contributed largely by grocery food, driven by higher prices for potato crisps, chocolate blocks and olive oil, Stats NZ said, adding that the fruit and vegetables group slightly offset the increase, with cheaper prices for kiwifruit, broccoli, and mandarins.

"Stocking up with fruit and vegetables became cheaper for the third consecutive month," Stats NZ consumer prices manager James Mitchell said.

Meanwhile, heading out to a cafe or restaurant became more expensive, Mitchell said.

Annually, food prices increased 0.8 percent in the 12 months to April 2024, which followed a 0.7 percent increase in the 12 months to March 2024, he said, adding that at the same time last year food prices increased 12.5 percent.

The smaller increase compared with last year was due to cheaper fruit and vegetables, down 13 percent in the 12 months to April 2024, while all other broad food groups increased in price, Mitchell said, adding that tomato and kumara prices went down after higher prices due to factors such as severe weather.

Prices for international air transport rose 7.2 percent in April 2024 compared with March 2024, while prices for overseas accommodation were down 4.9 percent, he said.

New Zealanders traveling overseas in April would have experienced higher airfares than those who traveled in March, said Mitchell, adding that on the flip side, the prices for their accommodation were cheaper.

International air transport prices were 47.7 percent more expensive than five years ago, in April 2019, while prices for overseas accommodation were 30.8 percent more expensive over the same time, according to Stats NZ. Enditem

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