Food prices rose 4.7 per cent in the year to October, up from a 4.1 per cent increase in September, according to Stats NZ.

Instant coffee prices rose 25.5 per cent to an average of $7.88 per 100 grams, while a 1kg block of cheese increased 30.1 per cent to $12.71. 

Grocery food costs saw the highest increase, up 4.9 per cent over the year, followed by meat, poultry, and fish prices, rising 7.6 per cent.

Stats NZ found that the average price of a two-litre bottle of milk reached $4.78, up 13.5 per cent from a year earlier. 

The average cost of a dozen fresh eggs was $9.88, up 18.5 per cent annually.