Higher demand for food around the world, is lifting ood prices

Latest Stats NZ figures show food prices rose 4.6 percent in the past year.

It's being driven by double-digit increases for red meat, cheese and milk - and steep rises for cooking oil.

Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen says it's in part a reaction to increased global need.

He says that's pushing up international prices, reflected in what we're having to pay.