Moccona just passed $50. We checked our data.
The RNZ reported on $50 instant coffee last week. We pulled a year of price history from our database to see what the data actually says.
RNZ reported last week that Moccona Classic 400g hit $53.99 at New World. The story traced it to global supply pressure and a weak NZ dollar – all correct. But it left the obvious question unanswered: is this a spike, or the new normal?
We track prices at Woolworths, New World, PAK'nSAVE and The Warehouse every day. Here's what our data shows.
The price trajectory
We've been recording Moccona Classic 400g prices since mid-2025. Here's the rough path:
| Period | Typical price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mid 2025 | $38–42 | Pre-spike baseline |
| Late 2025 | $42–48 | Steady climb |
| Jan–Jun 2026 | $48–53 | New shelf price territory |
| Now (Aug 2026) | $52–54 | Standard across chains |
The increase isn't a sudden jump – it's been a steady ratchet upward over 12 months. Each chain moved prices at slightly different times, but they've converged at the same range.
What the "specials" actually tell you
Woolworths currently has Moccona on special at $42.99. That sounds like a deal until you remember this was the standard price a year ago. Our data shows this pattern consistently: the "special" price today is often what you were paying without a special 12 months ago.
If you're buying Moccona, the real question isn't "is it on special?" – it's "what was the baseline price when this product last cost this much?"
The per-gram picture
Moccona at $53.99 for 400g works out to $13.50 per 100g. But instant coffee isn't one market – it's a spectrum:
- Nescafé Classic 200g: ~$10 → $5.00 per 100g
- Moccona Classic 400g: ~$54 → $13.50 per 100g
- Moccona on special: ~$43 → $10.75 per 100g
The gap between budget and premium instant coffee has widened from roughly 2x to nearly 3x. If you've been loyal to Moccona, you're paying a premium that's growing faster than the category average.
What happens next
Global coffee futures have stabilised somewhat, but they're not falling. The commodity price roughly doubled over four years and hasn't retreated meaningfully. With the NZ dollar still under pressure, there's no obvious catalyst for a price drop at the supermarket level.
Our data suggests these prices are the new baseline. If you're waiting for a return to $38, you'll be waiting a while.
Track it yourself
Every product on Kete has a price history chart. If you want to watch a specific coffee brand across chains, search for it and check the trend. You'll see exactly when prices move, and whether a "special" is actually a special or just a memory of what things used to cost.
Track prices yourself
Kete tracks grocery prices across Woolworths, New World, PAK'nSAVE and The Warehouse every day. Search any product to compare prices and see history.
Go to Kete →