Food prices surged 12.1 per cent in March compared to last year, according to data released by Stats NZ.

Grocery food was the “largest contributor” to the movement led by fruit and vegetable sales. The growth was driven by increases across all the broad food categories.

“Increasing prices for barn- or cage-raised eggs, potato chips, and six-pack yoghurt were the largest drivers within grocery food,” said James Mitchell, consumer prices manager.

By category, grocery food prices rose 14 per cent with fruit and vegetable prices up 22 per cent.

Ready-to-eat food prices improved by 8.7 per cent while meat, poultry and fish prices rose by 7.8 per cent and non-alcoholic beverage prices grew by 8.2 per cent.

• Further reading: Food price surge highest in three decades