Monthly average retail prices for selected products, for Canada and provinces. 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.

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 204.1 by January 2025, making it the highest CPI in Canada in that month.

Cost of food in Canada increased 1.30 percent in February of 2025 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.

When surveyed in November 2024, some 67 percent of respondents in Canada stated that they expected grocery prices to increase. This figure has increased since the start of the survey period in September 2021 and first peaked at 80 percent in May 2022.

In Canada, consumers have seen almost all food prices in the grocery store increase in April 2022, compared to the prices in April 2021. The cost of pasta went up the most, increasing by about 19.6 percent. The prices of fresh fruits and vegetables went up by ten percent and 8.2 percent, respectively.

According to a survey conducted in Canada in 2023, close to 52 percent of respondents from Nova Scotia believed grocery chain price gouging to be the main reason food prices have been rising in Canada. Conversely, close to 22 percent of those from Quebec believed the same.

The consumer price index of food in Canada has generally increased since 2000. The base year 2002 equals 100 and after that year, the price index stayed over 100 and increased each year until ultimately reaching a high of 190.5 in July 2024. Since then, the index has slightly decreased but reached 190.5 again in October 2024.

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.

This statistic shows the annual consumer price index of food purchased from stores in Canada from 2003 to 2024. The annual consumer price index for food purchased from stores was measured at 186.9 in 2024.

This table contains 289 series, with data for years 1956 - 1997 (not all combinations necessarily have data for all years), and was last released on 2000-02-18. This table contains data described by the following dimensions (Not all combinations are available): Geography (6 items: Canada; Ontario; Atlantic Region; Quebec ...), Commodities (279 items: Meat; fish and dairy products; Meat products; Beef; veal; mutton and pork; fresh or frozen; Primary meat products ...).

According to a survey carried out in July 2023, 61 percent of consumers in Saskatchewan found it very difficult or difficult to afford to feed their household. Conversely, 60 percent of consumers in Ontario found it very easy or easy.

When asked what changes they had seen in consumer behavior as of 2024 when buying produce, almost half of the retailers across Canada reported that more consumers were purchasing discounted items or items with a promotion. About 46 percent said that consumers were purchasing less expensive produce.

Food Prices for Canada.

Contains data from the FAOSTAT bulk data service covering the following categories: Consumer Price Indices, Deflators, Exchange rates, Producer Prices

Canada Consumer Price Index (CPI): Food: Purchased from Restaurants: Fast Food & Take Out data was reported at 192.000 2002=100 in Feb 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 183.500 2002=100 for Jan 2025. Canada Consumer Price Index (CPI): Food: Purchased from Restaurants: Fast Food & Take Out data is updated monthly, averaging 106.300 2002=100 from Jan 1985 (Median) to Feb 2025, with 482 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 198.300 2002=100 in Nov 2024 and a record low of 58.900 2002=100 in Jan 1985. Canada Consumer Price Index (CPI): Food: Purchased from Restaurants: Fast Food & Take Out data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics Canada. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Canada – Table CA.I002: Consumer Price Index: 2002=100.

In August 2024, the average canned food import price amounted to $4,141 per ton, jumping by 22% against the previous month.

Graph and download economic data for Consumer Price Index: Total Food Excluding Restaurants for Canada (CPGDFD02CAM659N) from Jan 1962 to May 2018 about restaurant, Canada, food, goods, CPI, price index, indexes, and price.

In 2024, the annual growth in food prices in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada reached approximately 3.8 percent. Newfoundland and Labrador had the highest inflation rate among all provinces. British Columbia had a food inflation rate of 2.8 percent.

Canada Consumer Price Index (CPI): All Items excl Food & Energy data was reported at 153.400 2002=100 in Feb 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 152.000 2002=100 for Jan 2025. Canada Consumer Price Index (CPI): All Items excl Food & Energy data is updated monthly, averaging 86.200 2002=100 from Jan 1961 (Median) to Feb 2025, with 770 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 153.400 2002=100 in Feb 2025 and a record low of 17.200 2002=100 in Aug 1961. Canada Consumer Price Index (CPI): All Items excl Food & Energy data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics Canada. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Canada – Table CA.I009: Core Inflation Index.

Graph and download economic data for Producer Prices Index: Economic Activities: Manufacture of Food Products: Total for Canada (PIEAFD01CAA661N) from 1960 to 2022 about Canada, food, production, manufacturing, PPI, price index, indexes, and price.

A grocery store which offers the lowest everyday prices is most likely to persuade consumers to shop there, according to a survey carried out by ProdegeMR in August 2019. Other high-ranking reasons to choose a specific grocery store included proximity to home, being able to buy everything needed and the offer of loyalty programs.

Popularity of in-store grocery shopping

Almost 95 percent of surveyed Canadians usually buy their groceries in-store rather than online. It is, therefore, important for grocery retailers to continue to adapt their in-store shopping experience to entice this large share of the Canadian population into their store. According to a recent survey, some of the most annoying issues for in-store grocery shoppers in Canada include out-of-stock products, too few open checkouts and congested aisles.

Food shopping behavior

The quality and price of food products are the two leading factors which Canadian shoppers consider when choosing which food to purchase. Increases in food prices have led to changes in shopping behavior in Canadian households – 69 percent switched to cheaper brands and 46 percent have reduced their meat consumption.