Cost of food in Canada increased 5.40 percent in February of 2026 over the same month in the previous year. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - Canada Food Inflation - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

In Canada, the cost of food has increased every month from June 2022 to September 2024. In April and May 2023, the cost of food increased by *** each month, compared to that month in the previous year. Inflation peaked in January 2023, but has since gown down to *** percent in September 2024.

From January 2022 to January 2025, the consumer price index (CPI) of food purchased from the store generally increased monthly in every province. In Prince Edward Island, the CPI reached ***** by January 2025, making it the highest CPI in Canada in that month.

Monthly indexes and percentage changes for selected sub-groups of the food component of the Consumer Price Index (CPI), not seasonally adjusted, for Canada, provinces, Whitehorse and Yellowknife. Data are presented for the corresponding month of the previous year, the previous month and the current month. The base year for the index is 2002=100.

The statistic shows the average inflation rate in Canada from 1987 to 2024, with projections up until 2030. The inflation rate is calculated using the price increase of a defined product basket. This product basket contains products and services, on which the average consumer spends money throughout the year. They include expenses for groceries, clothes, rent, power, telecommunications, recreational activities and raw materials (e.g. gas, oil), as well as federal fees and taxes. In 2022, the average inflation rate in Canada was approximately 6.8 percent compared to the previous year. For comparison, inflation in India amounted to 5.56 percent that same year. Inflation in Canada In general, the inflation rate in Canada follows a global trend of decreasing inflation rates since 2011, with the lowest slump expected to occur during 2015, but forecasts show an increase over the following few years. Additionally, Canada's inflation rate is in quite good shape compared to the rest of the world. While oil and gas prices have dropped in Canada much like they have around the world, food and housing prices in Canada have been increasing. This has helped to offset some of the impact of dropping oil and gas prices and the effect this has had on Canada´s inflation rate. The annual consumer price index of food and non-alcoholic beverages in Canada has been steadily increasing over the last decade. The same is true for housing and other price indexes for the country. In general there is some confidence that the inflation rate will not stay this low for long, it is expected to return to a comfortable 2 percent by 2017 if estimates are correct.

Monthly indexes and percentage changes for major components and special aggregates of the Consumer Price Index (CPI), not seasonally adjusted, for Canada, provinces, Whitehorse, Yellowknife and Iqaluit. Data are presented for the corresponding month of the previous year, the previous month and the current month. The base year for the index is 2002=100.

Canadian warehouse clubs and supercentres have steadily expanded as cost-conscious households have responded to persistent food inflation by shifting more of their baskets toward bulk purchases, sharper value pricing and one-stop shopping formats. Elevated grocery inflation, running at roughly twice the rate of headline consumer prices, has accelerated trade-downs into private-label brands and increased use of memberships to stretch household budgets. At the same time, macroeconomic conditions have been uneven, with higher inflation and geopolitical tensions raising uncertainty even as employment and real wages have improved slightly. Retailers have countered these pressures by scaling omnichannel capabilities, repurposing large stores as fulfillment hubs for click-and-collect and delivery, while upgrading websites, apps and automation to enhance convenience and speed. Revenue has been climbing at a CAGR of 3.3% over the past five years and is expected to reach $80.1 billion in 2026, when revenue will rise by an estimated 0.7%. Profit performance has been shaped by both intensifying cost pressures and the ability of leading players to use scale and operating discipline to protect returns. Major warehouse clubs and supercentres have leaned on private-label expansion, membership income and more efficient inventory management to offset higher freight, energy and technology expenses. Investments in automated fulfilment and streamlined store operations have further supported productivity gains, helping to contain unit costs as omnichannel volumes grow. Although volatility in global energy markets has raised operating costs and is pressuring fuel profitability, fuel remains primarily a traffic driver with thin per-unit earnings, limiting the impact on overall earnings. Taken together, these measures have allowed profit to inch up as large chains absorb inflationary shocks while continuing to reinvest in price, service and digital capabilities. Competitive dynamics, demographic shifts and ongoing innovation will define warehouse clubs' and supercentres' growth path. Retailers are expected to deepen data-driven personalization, using analytics to refine assortments, sharpen promotions and strengthen loyalty across channels while enhancing cybersecurity and privacy safeguards. An aging population, smaller households and greater cultural diversity will also push retailers to balance bulk value with more convenient pack sizes, prepared foods, healthcare-adjacent services and broader multicultural assortments. These strategies are often framed through a stronger sustainability and health lens. Over the next five years, revenue is forecast to rise at a CAGR of 2.0%, reaching $88.6 billion in 2031.

Monthly average retail prices for selected products, for Canada, provinces, Whitehorse and Yellowknife. Prices are presented for the current month and the previous four months. Prices are based on transaction data from Canadian retailers, and are presented in Canadian current dollars.

In 2025, among the provided continents or regions, North America had the lowest inflation rate at 2.8 percent. Consumer prices increased around the world following the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Inflation and food security Increases in food costs are one of the most prominent impacts of inflation globally. In the United Kingdom, for example, consumers have indicated that they have worried more about food costs in 2023 than in previous years. Meanwhile, in Canada, only a small fraction of survey respondents have said that inflation has had little impact on household food costs. Consumers have responded to rising food costs through various coping mechanisms. For example, Italian consumers have indicated that they purchase fewer unnecessary products, cut down on waste, and buy more discounted items in order to save costs. Changing consumer behaviors Outside of food consumption, consumers have changed their purchasing behaviors with other types of goods and services. Surveying has indicated that nearly 60 percent of consumers have adjusted their shopping habits due to inflation. When holiday shopping, over 50 percent of Americans and over one-third of British consumers said inflation had a considerable impact on their holiday shopping. By generation, the Millennial generation has suffered the most due to rising inflation, while older generations have experienced less serious impacts.

Monthly indexes for major components and special aggregates of the Consumer Price Index (CPI), not seasonally adjusted, for Canada, provinces, Whitehorse, Yellowknife and Iqaluit. Data are presented for the current month and previous four months. The base year for the index is 2002=100.

The Consumer Price Index measures changes in the cost of selected food items over time like: * food purchased from stores * fresh or frozen beef * fresh or frozen pork * fresh or frozen chicken * dairy products and eggs * bakery products * fresh fruit * fresh vegetables * food purchased from restaurants