If youB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™ve ventured into a grocery store lately, chances are masks and hand sanitizer arenB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™t the only new thing youB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™ve noticed. No doubt youB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™ve walked out of the store a little lighter in the wallet.
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to higher prices on just about every aisle of the grocery store. Recent data from Statistics CanadaB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s Consumer Price Index reveals that food prices are on the rise with significant increases to the prices of meat, as well as for basic, non-perishable items that people stock up on.
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According to the United Food and Commercial Workers, Consumers paid 7.8 per cent more for meat in May compared to a year ago, with fresh and frozen beef prices seeing the biggest gains (+13.7 per cent) since 2015. Prices for canned tuna increased by 13.9 per cent compared to the same month in 2019.
Prices for flour and flour-based mixes went up by 9.4 per cent compared to 2019. As well, prices for rice and rice-based mixes also increased significantly (+9.3 per cent), coinciding with higher demand for non-perishable foods.
The UFCW points to recent reports suggesting that overall food prices could increase by as much as four per cent over 2020.
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Do you have a story tip? Email: vnc.editorial@blackpress.ca.
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