A grocery clerk checks items at a Vancouver supermarket on Feb. 28. Most lettuce sold across North America in November comes from Southern California, where poor growing conditions affected crops. CBC
Food prices continue to climb across Canada. Shoppers feel the pressure every week. Bills look higher at checkout counters. Many families notice the change. Some adjust habits. Others simply pay more.
Overall inflation stayed flat in November. Grocery prices told a different story. Statistics Canada reported sharp increases. Food bought from stores rose 4.7 per cent over last year. This marked the fastest pace in almost two years.
Coffee leads the price jump
Coffee prices delivered the biggest shock. Roasted and ground coffee jumped again in November. Prices rose 3.1 per cent from October. They soared 36.4 per cent over last year. No other tracked grocery item rose faster.
Global supply issues drove the surge. Major producers faced shortages earlier this year. Brazil and Vietnam struggled with output. Trade tariffs also disrupted supply chains. Together, these factors pushed prices higher.
Large containers now cost much more. Many brands sell near or above $25. Premium brands cost even more. Daily coffee habits now strain budgets.
Lettuce costs surprise shoppers
Lettuce ranked second for price growth. Prices jumped 26.8 per cent year over year. Costs also rose sharply from October. Many shoppers did not expect this increase.
Southern California supplies most North American lettuce in November. The region faced poor weather and disease. Crop yields dropped. According to University of Guelph, limited alternatives worsened the impact. Prices often spike when one region struggles.
Relief may arrive soon. Production shifts to Arizona in December. Florida follows in January. Prices may ease as supply improves.
Beef keeps climbing
Beef prices remain stubbornly high. Fresh and frozen beef rose 17.7 per cent over last year. Some cuts rose even more. Beef loin cuts jumped over 20 per cent. Ground beef also rose sharply.
Several factors drive the trend. Drought reduced cattle herds in Western Canada. Feed costs climbed. Many ranchers left the industry. Strong demand added pressure. Other meats also rose. Pork shoulder prices jumped 17.5 per cent. Chicken, bacon, and shrimp also cost more.
Holiday treats bring mixed news
Holiday shopping brought both bad and good news. Many seasonal items cost more. Cookies, candy, nuts, and oranges all rose. Fish and takeout meals also increased.
Some staples offered relief. Potatoes, onions, eggs, and flour cost less. Cheese prices dipped slightly. Rice, tomatoes, and peppers also fell.
Turkey brought welcome news. Prices dropped 1.4 per cent from last year. Turkey Farmers of Canada said supply remains stable. The group said prices stay close to last year. Shoppers can still find turkeys in stores.
Shoppers watch and wait
Food prices continue to test household budgets. Experts expect ups and downs ahead. For now, Canadians scan flyers carefully. Many hope relief arrives in the months ahead.
