Food prices are likely to be impacted if the war in the Middle East keeps pressure on oil prices. Photo: Getty ImagesFood prices are likely to rise if war in the Middle East keeps pressure on oil prices - but some types of food may be more affected than others. "The issue is how transportation costs start going through - I guess anything that's having to come from overseas is going to have a higher transportation component." Eckhold said it could be a couple of months before food price rises started to be seen on New Zealand shelves. Infometrics' supplier cost index showed costs to Foodstuffs supermarkets up 2.3% year-on-year in February, before the oil price rise began to be felt.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 16, 2026 00:50 UTC