WELLINGTON: New Zealand food prices eased in February, with cheaper prices for fruit, vegetables, and meat items, according to official data released on Wednesday.

The food price index fell 0.3 percent for the month, to be 0.1 percent lower than the same month last year, Statistics NZ said.

The index had risen 1.9 percent in January, the first rise in five months.

A drought in key agricultural regions of the North Island has affected crop production and is causing farmers to reduce animal numbers and milk production.

Food prices make up nearly 19 percent of the consumer price index (CPI).

<Center><b><i>Copyright Reuters, 2013</b></i><br></center>