Big increase in vegetable prices leads to larger shopping bills

Shopping bills increased in September thanks to a whopping 18 per cent increase in the cost of vegetables.

However, the price of air travel and cellphones dropped, according to the latest consumer price index.

Overall prices rose by only 0.7 per cent, a smaller increase than expected by economists and the Reserve Bank.

That means the central bank is likely to continue to look at options to drive down interest rates as it tries to stabilise the slowing economy.