Courgettes have cost nearly as much as sirloin steak or fresh fish recently

They and cucumbers reached record high prices last month because Queensland imports are banned due to a plant virus.

Stats NZ says courgettes shot up almost 40 percent to an average of nearly $30 a kilo, with reports of prices as high as $39 a kilo.

Fruit and vegetable prices were up 9.8 percent in July, compared to June.