WELLINGTON, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand food prices were almost unchanged in September, but showed a slight rise after seasonal adjustment, with lettuce price showing largest price fall in four years, the statistics department Stats NZ said on Thursday.

Lettuce prices fell 45 percent in September 2018, to an average of 1.81 NZ dollars (1.17 U.S. dollars) a head, and they were down 30 percent for the year, Stats NZ said.

Vegetable prices fell 8.7 percent in September, influenced by lower prices for lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers. However, meat and poultry prices rose 2 percent, influenced by higher prices for beef and chicken, consumer prices manager Geraldine Duoba said in a statement.

The relatively unchanged food prices in the year ending September 2018 was driven by higher prices for ready-to-eat food and milk, cheese and eggs, Duoba said, adding prices decreased for vegetables and fruit, which helped keep overall food inflation low for the year.

"After the poor weather and a reduced harvest in 2017, vegetable prices have returned to more typical levels for this time of year," she said. Enditem