Food costs have been increasing for more than a year, with grocery inflation swinging upward since April 2024, according to Statistics Canada. Chances are you paid four per cent more at the grocery store in September compared with the same period last year.
The price of coffee increased 28.6 percent over the past year — more than any other food item tracked by Statistics Canada’s consumer price index. Roasted or ground coffee prices rose 41 percent in September compared with September of 2024. More so, data showed that the average monthly price of 340 grams of roasted or ground coffee has shot up 34 per cent since January alone.
The price jumps extend to the meat department too. Ground beef, fresh or frozen, was the worst offender, rising in price by 17.4 per cent in a year. Statistics Canada’s retail research showed that the average monthly price of ground beef was $15.06 per kilogram in August. The price of bacon also contributed to the rising cost of meat, shooting up 8.2 per cent year over year. Canned salmon was also notable, with an 8.3 per cent price increase.
Even the costs of sweets are higher – prices for confectionery, which includes chocolate, were up 10.4 per cent in September compared with a year earlier, Statistics Canada said. Cocoa prices have more than doubled over the past two years due to poor weather and disease in West Africa, which supplies more than 70 per cent of the world’s cocoa.
Comments