Your wallet is poised to take another hit at the grocery store in 2022.
We’ve already been feeling the impact on food bills as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, but now a new report says things are going to get more expensive.
The Canada Food Price Report predicts the average family of four will pay an extra $966 for food with their annual bill reaching up to $15,000.
The report is a collaborative effort by Dalhousie University, the University of Guelph, the University of Saskatchewan and the University of British Columbia.
It forecasts an overall food price increase of 5 per cent to 7 per cent for 2022. That’s the steepest climb ever predicted by the report over the last 12 years.
Food Professor Sylvain Charlebois out of Dalhousie University says there’s no turning back.
“Our relationship with food is changing, and so will our food budgets,” Charlebois says. “Showing up at the grocery store knowing what you should be paying will help.”
The most significant increases are predicted for dairy and restaurants at 6 per cent to 8 per cent, and bakery and vegetables at 5 per cent to 7 per cent.
He adds prices have been rising over the last decade, but the pandemic has helped to speed this up.
According to the report, a typical grocery bill rose by 70% between 2000 and 2020.
“Most Canadians could eat more vegetables,” says Dr. Kelleen Wiseman,UBC campus lead. “The forecasted increase in this healthy food category is worrying from a public health perspective because consumers might be tempted to further reduce their consumption of fresh and mainstream vegetables. However, options are available in selecting alternative vegetables or frozen vegetables — which can provide high nutritional value at a lower price point.”
The report cites several factors contributing to the increase including COVID-19-related disruptions to the food supply chain, climate change and adverse weather effects, labour force challenges, high inflation, and food transportation challenges.
