Grocery prices have been rapidly rising all across Canada.
The cost of groceries has been on the rise ever since the beginning of the pandemic and has only increased further with the re-opening of stores and restaurants.
Statistics Canada reports that the national inflation rate of Canada has risen by over 4%. Even more alarming, estimates from Statistics Canada say that the consumer price index for food has increased by almost 5%.
This price increase has affected citizens all across Canada, forcing many to change their shopping styles and habits.
In a survey from Dalhousie University’s Agri-Food Analytics Lab, of the 10,000 people surveyed, half of them had been purchasing fewer meat products than they had six months ago. In the same survey, Dalhousie University notes that 40% of respondents had been actively using coupons, flyers and discounts more than they had the previous year.
“I’ve noticed a huge increase,” said Zivana Christie, a longtime resident of Oakville, “A bag of grapes is now between seven to eight dollars. It’s crazy.”
“I have a family to feed now,” she said. “So that really increases the weekly budget for groceries.”
In Dalhousie University’s survey, besides meat, produce is the product that Canadians feel has seen the highest increase in price.
Zivana wasn’t the only one who expressed concerns over the increased price of groceries.
“I find that these days I am more financially stressed,” said Cole Beattie, a Sheridan student. “Ever since the pandemic began, it seems like prices have continuously gone up, and it’s been stressful.”
Cole went on to say that the stress of the rising prices has begun to affect his academic studies.
“There is always some sort of thought going on in my brain about the money I spend and where I should be saving and I wish those thoughts could be more focused on just getting my degree,” said Beattie