1 00:00:00,280 --> 00:00:05,640 Speaker 1: The latest Infometrics food Stuff's Grocery supply indexes out. In 2 00:00:05,680 --> 00:00:09,160 Speaker 1: the year to November, supplier costs rose two point one percent. 3 00:00:09,480 --> 00:00:12,719 Speaker 1: Now that's slightly up from October, which saw an increase 4 00:00:12,720 --> 00:00:15,440 Speaker 1: of two percent. Remember it's still more expensive. It's two 5 00:00:15,440 --> 00:00:18,599 Speaker 1: percent more expensive. In November, almost three and a half 6 00:00:18,600 --> 00:00:22,040 Speaker 1: thousand items increased in cost compared to October, and that's 7 00:00:22,079 --> 00:00:25,320 Speaker 1: the largest single month increase since July. John Murphy is 8 00:00:25,360 --> 00:00:27,319 Speaker 1: the chair of Vegetables New Zealand and joins me. Now, 9 00:00:27,400 --> 00:00:28,240 Speaker 1: good morning to you, John. 10 00:00:28,280 --> 00:00:31,840 Speaker 2: Merry Christmas, Mate, Merry Christmas to you too, Andrew. 11 00:00:31,960 --> 00:00:33,480 Speaker 1: So what does this mean for Christmas dinner? 12 00:00:35,520 --> 00:00:39,000 Speaker 2: It means there's plenty of good produce available and so 13 00:00:39,640 --> 00:00:43,919 Speaker 2: we've seen really good supply of fresh vegetables really for 14 00:00:43,960 --> 00:00:47,159 Speaker 2: the last few months. To be honest and fantastic, boy 15 00:00:47,240 --> 00:00:50,600 Speaker 2: of the consumers look a little bit tough on some suppliers, 16 00:00:51,560 --> 00:00:54,160 Speaker 2: but we're delighted and be able to get sweet corn 17 00:00:54,160 --> 00:00:57,280 Speaker 2: and all kinds of salads. And before they even start 18 00:00:57,320 --> 00:00:59,400 Speaker 2: looking at the berries and everything like that that are available, 19 00:00:59,440 --> 00:01:00,240 Speaker 2: it looks really good. 20 00:01:00,440 --> 00:01:02,360 Speaker 1: So talk to me about the supplyer cost as well. 21 00:01:02,400 --> 00:01:05,120 Speaker 1: Supply cost is two thirds of the price increases. The 22 00:01:05,240 --> 00:01:07,679 Speaker 1: prices have gone up two point one percent, where are 23 00:01:07,720 --> 00:01:09,200 Speaker 1: they getting squeezed in their costs? 24 00:01:13,720 --> 00:01:17,400 Speaker 2: Look, I think that there is still some general inflationary 25 00:01:17,400 --> 00:01:19,080 Speaker 2: pressure that you see, and so you see that lots 26 00:01:19,120 --> 00:01:21,640 Speaker 2: of diesel and things like that's starting to creep in, 27 00:01:21,640 --> 00:01:24,080 Speaker 2: which affects those freight costs that you've been talking about 28 00:01:24,080 --> 00:01:27,080 Speaker 2: this morning with theories and everything as well. So there 29 00:01:27,080 --> 00:01:30,039 Speaker 2: are still general costs, but the general trend is below 30 00:01:30,600 --> 00:01:34,360 Speaker 2: general inflation, i'd say as well. So yeah, I think 31 00:01:34,560 --> 00:01:37,000 Speaker 2: the key thing here is that there's still very good 32 00:01:37,000 --> 00:01:41,160 Speaker 2: buying available, and particularly in the produce area, which I 33 00:01:41,240 --> 00:01:44,679 Speaker 2: sees around one point five percent for the year. That's 34 00:01:44,840 --> 00:01:46,839 Speaker 2: got to be seen as a successful consumers. 35 00:01:46,840 --> 00:01:48,840 Speaker 1: I think that's the second time you've said that, so 36 00:01:48,880 --> 00:01:51,200 Speaker 1: I know what you're saying. You're saying by local, aren't 37 00:01:51,200 --> 00:01:53,320 Speaker 1: you really? Because global production is still low, so there's 38 00:01:53,320 --> 00:01:56,280 Speaker 1: loads of inflation there. So you know, don't buy yourself 39 00:01:56,280 --> 00:01:58,400 Speaker 1: a French mushroom, buy yourself a New Zealand one. 40 00:02:00,160 --> 00:02:03,480 Speaker 2: Absolutely absolutely. Look, I think that the general rule is 41 00:02:03,600 --> 00:02:07,640 Speaker 2: if you buy what's abundant, what's available, then you'll do well. 42 00:02:07,800 --> 00:02:11,480 Speaker 2: And that's buying the big ticket items at the front 43 00:02:11,480 --> 00:02:14,720 Speaker 2: of the supermarket really, and that's also good for consumers 44 00:02:14,880 --> 00:02:18,920 Speaker 2: because it reflects what's abundant and available and that's what 45 00:02:18,960 --> 00:02:19,480 Speaker 2: we've got. 46 00:02:19,360 --> 00:02:23,800 Speaker 1: To sell absolutely, John, Look, Merry Christmas and what are 47 00:02:23,800 --> 00:02:25,080 Speaker 1: you going to have for Christmas dinner? 48 00:02:27,440 --> 00:02:30,519 Speaker 2: Look, we'll be getting into all kinds of salads alongside 49 00:02:31,320 --> 00:02:35,040 Speaker 2: the traditional ham as well. And then back Meanderson Buriers. 50 00:02:35,400 --> 00:02:37,679 Speaker 1: Of course you had I forgot your vegetable New Zealand chair. 51 00:02:37,919 --> 00:02:39,400 Speaker 1: You're going to have an awful lot of salads. I 52 00:02:39,440 --> 00:02:42,160 Speaker 1: wouldn't be surprised if you weren't a vegetarian. John, I 53 00:02:42,240 --> 00:02:43,800 Speaker 1: thank you so much for your time today. 54 00:02:44,800 --> 00:02:47,760 Speaker 2: For more from Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, listen live 55 00:02:47,880 --> 00:02:50,920 Speaker 2: to News Talks. It'd be from five am weekdays, or 56 00:02:50,960 --> 00:02:52,880 Speaker 2: follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.