This is the largest annual increase since July 2009, when annual food prices increased 8.4 percent, Stats NZ said.
The increase was due to rises across all the broad food categories measured, led by fruit and vegetable, grocery food, restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food, as well as meat, poultry, and fish prices, it said.
"Increasing prices for eggs, yogurt, and cheddar cheese were the largest drivers within grocery food," consumer prices manager Katrina Dewbery said in a statement.
Monthly food prices were 1.1 percent higher in August compared with July, Dewbery said, adding a 4.1-percent rise in fruit and vegetable prices was the largest contributor.
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