A sharp rise in food inflation could unfortunately be out of our control

Latest Stats NZ data reveals the rate's risen to 4.6 - well up on four-percent a month ago.

Fruit and vegetable prices have jumped 6.3 percent in the last year - and meat, poultry and fish 8.9-percent.

Grocery Action Group Chair Sue Chetwin says there's been a lot of uncontrollable factors impacting prices - like recent storm damage affecting crops.

She says fresh fruit and vegetables should be at their cheapest at this time of year.