By Canadian Press

Grocery bills climb as food inflation rate hits 6.5 per cent in January

Feb 16, 2022 | 10:58 AM

OTTAWA – Canada’s food inflation rate has hit 6.5 per cent, the biggest year-over-year jump in grocery bills in more than a decade.

Statistics Canada says the increase in food prices in January outpaced the overall annual inflation rate of 5.1 per cent.

The agency says the price of beef soared a whopping 13 per cent compared with a year ago while chicken was up nine per cent and fish increased 7.9 per cent.

Canadians also paid 7.4 per cent more for bakery products, an extra 16.5 per cent for margarine, and 12.1 per cent more for condiments, spices, and vinegar.

Statistics Canada says supply chain disruptions and unfavourable growing conditions pushed fresh fruit prices up 8.2 per cent in January compared with the same month last year.

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Experts say higher prices reflect a raft of issues raising the cost of food, including higher input prices, shipping costs, and wages.

(The Canadian Press)