It's being suggested the pricey cost of our food baskets is great for the economy but bad for our wallets. 

Food inflation has risen 4.4% annually, the highest in 18 months. 

Meat, poultry and fish had the biggest increases, while butter, milk and cheese drove grocery prices. 

Foodstuffs North Island CEO Chris Quin told Mike Hosking increases in foods like Kiwifruit and butter is fantastic for New Zealand's economy, but tough for households.  

Quin says they're doing everything they can,  but they can't contain the same costs of energy and people.

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