With grocery price increases of more than 11% this year, Quebecers had no choice but to become more informed shoppers. They need to continue that momentum as further increases are expected in 2023, this time from 5% to 7%.
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“For the first time, an increase of more than $1,000 is expected for a family of four,” says Sylvain Charlebois, who directs the 13th edition of the Canadian Food Price Report.
The typical family in the report released today, which is the result of collaboration between four Canadian universities, consists of a man (31-50 years old), a woman (31-50 years old) and a boy (14-18 years old) and a girl (9-13 years).
If it cost $13,801 to feed everyone in 2021, that’s increased to $15,222 this year. Next year, researchers predict it will be $16,288.
From 2021 to 2023, the increase would be 18%, compared to 7% from 2022 to 2023.
In two times
“If there’s $30 worth of steaks in the grocery store, it’s because there are people willing to pay that price,” said Mr. Charlebois, who also directs Dalhousie University’s Agri-Food Analytical Sciences Laboratory.
Photo from Dalhousie University website
Sylvain Charlebois
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According to him, the year 2023 will play out in two acts: in the first half, prices will continue to rise as in 2022, and in the second half, the country will experience an economic slowdown that will slow the rise in grocery prices.
“It’s funny to say, but for families who are in short supply, an economic slowdown would be desirable. It would definitely help them in the supermarket,” observes the food expert.
It goes anywhere
All food categories will increase in 2023, due in part to the impact of climate change and high transportation costs, the researchers write.
Vegetables are gaining with an expected increase of 6% to 8% in 2023, while their price has already increased by 11% in 2022.
Baked goods, dairy and meat will all see increases of 5% to 7% if the report is to be believed.
The price of fruit will increase the least, namely by 3% to 5%.
In that regard, “frugality will remain a priority for many Canadians in 2023,” the report said.
It should also be noted that the expenditure calculated in the report assumes that all cooking and eating takes place at home.
In short, food insecurity, meaning our limited ability to obtain healthy and nutritious food, is projected to rise again in Quebec and Canada.
►While the 2022 edition of the report predicted a 5% to 7% rise in food prices, the true rate exceeded that forecast, hitting 10.1% in October. The researchers cite adverse weather events, rising geopolitical tensions, high oil prices and the falling Canadian dollar to explain the discrepancy.
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