Fruit and vegetable prices have dropped dramatically

Stats NZ figures reveal food prices rose just 0.2 percent in the year to may -- the smallest jump since 2018.

Meat, poultry and fish prices have dipped by 1.2 percent, driven by cheaper chicken pieces and lamb chops and legs of lamb.

Fruit and vegetable prices have dropped 11.4 percent compared to last year.

The Herald's John Weekes says last year's expensive prices were due to cyclone Gabrielle.

ANZ economists say it was largely due to the premium we had to pay after the cyclone wrecked so many farms and orchards.