It was the highest annual increase in the price of beef mince since Stats NZ started collecting the data in 2006. <\/p>\n
Speaking to Breakfast, John van den Berk, owner and master baker at John\u2019s Bakery and Caf\u00e9 in Hastings, said the increase was \u201cone of the biggest\u201d he\u2019d seen \u201cfor a long time\u201d. <\/p>\n
He said meat prices had been \u201cquite stable\u201d over the 35 years his store had been open, but that had recently changed. <\/p>\n
\u201cJust generally, the last six or seven years, we\u2019ve seen massive hikes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Costs went beyond mince for van den Berk, with increases in power, rates, insurance, and staff also affecting how much his pies were selling for. <\/p>\n
![\"John](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/john-van-den-berk-owner-and-master-baker-of-johns-bakery-and-OML4JA5REVDYXNP7BB7MAND2TE.jpg\")
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John van den Berk, owner and master baker of John\u2019s Bakery and Caf\u00e9. (Source: 1News)<\/p>\n
Van den Berk\u2019s business has been forced to absorb the higher cost of mince and even pass some of that cost on to customers. <\/p>\n
His mince pies, a staple of the Kiwi diet and a popular product at the store, were now being sold for $7.50. <\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s not a lot more we can do now, we have to absorb it,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s pretty tough on any small business like ours because the mince pie was the staple diet, and it was one of the cheapest meats that you could cook with. But not now.\u201d <\/p>\n
He said some customers were upset over the price, but \u201cthere\u2019s not a lot we can do about it\u201d. Many were generally understanding of the bakery\u2019s position, and people continued to buy pies.<\/p>\n
The baker said he remained \u201coptimistic\u201d. <\/p>\n
What\u2019s driving the increase?<\/p>\n
![\"Mince.](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/mince-galore-D7I3TUZQG5H5HC3ZNBI2CFNYHQ.png\")
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Mince. (Source: 1News)<\/p>\n
ANZ agricultural economist Matt Dilly told Breakfast the main reason mince prices had skyrocketed was that meat prices were high worldwide, largely driven by the United States. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re one of the world\u2019s largest beef importers, even though they have a very large beef industry themselves. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re our number one customer, there\u2019s just not enough cattle around and not enough beef production to satisfy demand.\u201d <\/p>\n
The morning’s headlines in 90 seconds, including Chris Hipkins on the legal advice he\u2019s taking after his ex wife\u2019s Facebook posts, and the first major act to play at Christchurch\u2019s new stadium. (Source: 1News)<\/p>\n
He said the conflict in the Middle East was pushing most commodity and food prices higher. <\/p>\n
\u201cSo with that plus a weaker New Zealand dollar, that\u2019s going to mean more expensive prices for New Zealand consumers over the next few months.\u201d <\/p>\n