“Canadian Grocery Prices Spike: Statistics and Inflation Report for March 2023”

“Although headline inflation has slowed in recent months, prices remain high,” the StatCan report notes.

Statistics Canada, responsible for all figures and indicators in the country, has released a report on the current state of Canadian homes and the rise in prices in March. According to the latest figures, grocery prices in stores and restaurants rose 8.9% year-on-year. Experts point out that prices rose more slowly than in February 2023.

Canadians continue to see prices rise at grocery stores in March. Prices of items such as flour, fruit juices and apples remained high in March, while those of ham and tomatoes fell from February to March 2023.

March percentage data:

1. Grocery prices in stores rose 9.7%;
2. Food prices in restaurants rose 7.2%;
3. Fast food and takeout prices rose 8%.

Although food price inflation slowed, prices continued to rise on average month to month. Over the summer, we expect more clear signs that inflation is coming down,” said economist Andrew Grantham.

The Statistical Office has also released year-on-year comparisons for March and February (in brackets). Here’s how the prices of some products went up:

• Carne: 6,6% (6.2%)
• Queso: 4,9% (7.5%)
• Fresh milk: 6.7% (7.3%)
• Bakery products: 14.2% (13.9%)
• Apples: 15.8% (16.6%)
• Oranges: 5.1% (15.1%)
• Fresh vegetables: 10.8 (13.4%)
• Tomatoes: 10.9 (7.1%)
• Potatoes: 11.4 (11.8%)
• Eggs: 11.8 (13.6%)
• Pasta products: 14.2% (23.1%)
• Coffee and tea: 11.1% (10.6%)
• Seasonings, spices and vinegars: 11 (10.8%)

Any Canadian can calculate the growth rate of food prices in his province with a special calculator. The following shows the growth rate of food prices in stores in each of the provinces in the last year:

1. Newfoundland and Labrador – 9.6%;
2. Prince Edward Island – 10.3%;
3. Nova Scotia – 10.6%;
4. Quebec – 10,6%;
5. Ontario – 9.5%;
6. Manitoba – 10%;
7. Saskatchewan – 9,9%;
8. Alberta – 9,3%;
9. British Columbia – 8.6%;
10. Yukon – 8.7%;
11. Northwest Territories – 14.1%;
12. Nuevo Brunswick – 9,9%;
13. Nunavut – 9,7%.

The Canadian price growth rate last year was 9.7%.