FOOD PRICE INDEX

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28532, 11 March 1958, Page 7

FOOD PRICE INDEX

] Per Cent. Drop In February

Retail prices for food fell by 1 per cent, in February, according to the all-food consumer ’ j ice index of the Department of Statistics. At 1050, the latest figure represents an increase of 5 per cent, on the average prices for 1955. The February decrease of 10 poirts is made up of decreases of 12 points in the sub-indices for fruits, vegetables and eggs, countered by increases of one point each in the meat and fish subindices.

Last year, food prices in February were at a level of 1024 points, indicating an increase of 2.6 per cent, in the last 12 months. Of the 21 centres, provincial towns and local centres indexed separately, the only increases were recorded at Dunedin (.5 per cent.). Oamaru (.4 per cent.), and Wanganui <.3 per cent.). The Christchurch figures for February. 1958, showed a decrease of 1.1 per cent, in food prices from the December, 1957. and January 1958, level of 1078 points. The his s est evel was Duneu . with 1081 points, and the lowest was shared uy Whangarei and Gisborne wtih an index figure of 1025 points. The Christchurch index has increased by 6.7 per cent, since 1955. compared with an over-all increase of 5.7 per cent, for the four main centres. Of the four main centres. Auckland showed the lowest increase, of 3.8 per cent., since 1955.