WELLINGTON, Nov. 17 (Xinhua) -- Food prices in New Zealand rose 4.7 percent in the year to October 2025, up from 4.1 percent in the year to September 2025, Stats NZ reported Monday.

The grocery food group led the increase, up 4.9 percent, while meat, poultry, and fish prices jumped 7.6 percent annually, according to a statement of the statistics department.

Notable price hikes included milk up 13.5 percent, instant coffee up 25.5 percent, cheese up 30.1 percent, and fresh eggs up 18.5 percent, it said.

"Those who enjoy eggs and coffee in the morning may have noticed them becoming more expensive," said Stats NZ prices and deflators spokesperson Nicola Growden.

Despite the annual rise, food prices fell 0.3 percent in October compared to September, driven by a 10.7 percent drop in vegetable prices, the largest monthly decline since November 2021, Growden said.

Electricity and gas prices also continued to climb, up 11.8 percent and 14.4 percent in the 12 months to October 2025, with monthly increases of 0.5 percent and 1.9 percent in October, which marked the 11th consecutive month of price increases for both utilities, Stats NZ said.