Countdown is defending the price of cheese -- following its recent decision to freeze the price of many essential goods

A one-kilogram block of Mainland Tasty Cheese can now set you back up to 21-dollars-50.

The supermarket chain says the price reflects record high milk prices and the strong international demand for New Zealand dairy products.

It says while it tries to keep food as affordable as it can, it can't absorb all of the cost increases being seen right now.