Are farmers’ markets more expensive than your supermarket?

A recent survey by Farmers’ Markets New Zealand (FMNZ) has found you can often save money by shopping strategically at your local market.

Ten markets – Bay of Islands, Hamilton, Cambridge, Gisborne, Taranaki, Nelson, Amberley, Lyttelton, Otago, and Southern – compared their prices for similar, seasonal foods with local supermarkets. It focused on primary foods such as vegetables and fruit, and where available, eggs, meat, fish, honey, and bread.

The survey found for the same amount of goods:

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of the farmers’ markets baskets were cheaper than the supermarket, by 4-30%; •

one market had the same prices as the nearest supermarket;

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one market was 14% more expensive than the supermarket.

When comparing only fresh fruit, vegetables, and eggs, all farmers’ market baskets were cheaper.