The cost of bacon has jumped 11 percent to reach a new record as the global pork supply continues to be hit by the outbreak of African swine flu.

New Zealand imports a lot of its bacon and the worldwide pork shortage is flowing through to prices here.

Official figures for August also show ham prices have reached their highest level since 2015.

Overall, food prices rose 0.7 percent for the month, with bacon one of the key drivers, as well as tomatoes, which leapt 51 percent, although August is typically the most expensive month for the fruit.

On an annual basis, food prices rose 2.1 percent.