New Zealand food inflation highest for 13 years as vegetables and dairy drive prices

A surge in fruit and vegetable prices have helped to create the highest food inflation in New Zealand since the global financial crisis. Photograph: Phil Walter/Getty Images

Shoppers may be forced to skip tomatoes, eggs and dairy products in New Zealand, as the country experiences the largest annual spike in food prices in 13 years.

Stats NZ released new figures showing food prices had grown by 8.3% to August – the largest annual increase since the global financial crisis in July 2009 when food prices jumped up by 8.4%.