The first consumer price index report of 2026, published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), has detailed the key consumer items contributing to the country’s inflation rate of 3.4 per cent.
From October to November 2025, when nationwide inflation fell by 0.4 per cent, the prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages rose by 0.4 per cent, second only to housing.
This contributed to a 12-month price rise of 3.3 per cent for such goods.
The ABS added that prices for meat and seafood rose 3.9 per cent in the 12 months to November 2025, driven by beef and veal (11.4 per cent), and lamb and goat (12.3 per cent). It said cocoa shortages contributed to a 7.1 per cent rise in snacks and confectionery goods.
The increase in non-alcoholic beverage prices was influenced by coffee, tea, and cocoa, which rose by 15.3 per cent. Fruit and vegetable prices increased 2.7 per cent in the 12 months to November 2025, up from a 1.8 per cent increase to October 2025.
Alcohol and tobacco rose just 0.1 per cent from October to November, but jumped 4.2 per cent across 12 months.
