Food items that got more expensive in August, and which ones saw prices go down
Inflation has come down from its highs, and groceries are no exception.
Statistics Canada reported on Tuesday (Sept. 17) that grocery prices in August rose 2.4% from the year before, a far cry from their peak of 11.4% in late 2022 and early 2023.
Overall annual inflation was 2% in August, the slowest pace since February 2021.
As Canadians grapple with double-digit increases in grocery prices over just a few years, here are some of the food items still on the rise, and the ones that are seeing prices move lower.
Meat
Prices for meat rose 2.9% in August compared with a year ago, led by beef (7.4%) and pork (8.7%). Chicken rose more slowly at 2.4%.
Meanwhile, prices for fish and other seafood were slightly down by 1.8%. Canned salmon saw a particular decline, down 7.1%, as did shrimp and prawns, down 7.3%.
Prices for processed meat declined slightly, with prices for ham down 3% while bacon prices rose 8.6%.
Dairy and eggs
Overall prices for dairy products rose 3.3%, while fresh milk was up 2.8% and cheese by 2.3%. Butter prices declined 1.7%.
The price of eggs rose 3.4%.
Produce
Prices for fresh fruit rose 1.5%, though oranges saw prices fall 6.6% and the price of grapes rose 7.6%.
Prices for fresh vegetables rose faster than fruit at 4.4%. Certain items saw double-digit price increases, such as onions (15.9%) and peppers (11.6%). Lettuce was up by 4.6%, and tomatoes by 5.3%.
Other
Bakery product prices were up 1.2%, with cookies and crackers rising 6.6% even as prices for bread, rolls and buns were down 1.5%.
Edible fats and oils, not including margarine, rose by double digits at 11.4% in August.
Sugar and syrup rose 2.1%, while coffee declined 1% and non-alcoholic beverages rose 6.3%.
Prices for restaurant food rose faster than grocery prices, at 3.4%.
