Food In Canada

Canadian families can expect to pay more for groceries in 2018: report

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The 8th edition of Canada's Food Price Report 2018 says La Nina and convenience are going to affect the cost of food


Halifax, N.S. – A Canadian family of four can expect to pay $348 more for groceries next year, says a new report.

Dalhousie University and the University of Guelph released their Canada’s Food Price Report 2018, the eighth edition.

In a statement, the schools say the price of vegetables will rise by between four and six per cent, due mainly to weather. For instance, says the statement, “La Nina, a reoccurring weather phenomenon that affects global climate patterns, will likely result in below-average precipitation in farming-intensive regions of the southern U.S.”

The price of fruit is also expected to rise by between one and three per cent.

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The authors also say in the statement that they expect Canadians to continue to spend more in restaurants and on ready-to-eat products.

In fact, “the average family is expected to spend $208 more when eating out compared to 2017, an increase of almost eight per cent. That means that almost 30 per cent of consumers’ food budget will be spent on foodservice, the highest level in history.”

Other food categories, such as dairy, bakery products, meat and seafood, say the authors, are not expected to rise by more than two per cent.

As listed in the statement, here is a breakdown of the expected price increases:

Restaurants 4% – 6%
Dairy 0% – 2%
Fruits 1% – 3%
Bakery 0% – 2%
Meats 0% – 2%
Vegetables 4% – 6%
Seafood 0% – 2%
Food 1% – 3%

The authors say food price increases will affect most provinces, but “will be consistent with the general inflation rate for 2018.”

And the authors also note that the release of a new version of Canada’s Food Guide will affect how consumers shop. It’s expected, says the statement, that the new version will “encourage” a plant-based diet and will “encourage” consumers to avoid processed foods.

For more on the report, click here.


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