Food price inflation has risen sharply - after the biggest monthly hike in prices in four years

Latest Stats NZ data shows the rate's risen from four-percent a month ago - to 4.6.

Prices shot up in January, after steadily declining in the months before Christmas.

In the past year, the very cheapest loaf of white bread has gone up 58-percent, and steak and chocolate more than 20.

But olive oil and chips are getting cheaper, after getting steadily dearer in previous years.