Canada grocery prices climb 5.7 percent in February, led by sharp meat and poultry spikes as costs outpace inflation

Sharp increases in meat and poultry prices pushed Canada’s grocery costs up 5.7 per cent year-over-year in February, significantly outpacing the national inflation rate of 1.8 per cent, according to new data from Statistics Canada. The steepest rises were concentrated in the Maritime provinces, highlighting widening regional cost pressures.

The latest data from Statistics Canada tracks average retail prices for 105 commonly purchased grocery items.

Beef striploin cuts saw the steepest year-over-year increase, with prices climbing 26.8 per cent, up $7.51 to $35.56 per kilogram in February.


Beef rib cuts recorded the second-largest increase, rising by $4.91 year-over-year to $37.70 per kilogram, followed by beef stewing cuts, which climbed $4.21 to $23.90 per kilogram.

Whole chickens recorded the biggest percentage increase, with prices jumping 43.8 per cent to $8.57 per kilogram in February, while coffee rose 29.9 per cent year-over-year to $9.51 for a 340-gram package.

Despite widespread increases across grocery items over the past year, several products recorded notable price declines.

According to CTV News website, cantaloupes led the declines, with prices falling 28.9 per cent year-over-year in February, followed by olive oil (down 18.5 per cent), pears (down 17.9 per cent) and oranges (down 17.6 per cent).

Prices for items such as peanut butter, mayonnaise, block cheese and brown rice remained largely unchanged over the period.

With inflation at 1.8 per cent in February, the 5.7 per cent annual rise in grocery prices marked a significantly faster increase, according to Statistics Canada.

According to CTV News website, Statistics Canada cautioned against direct comparisons of average grocery prices over time, noting that factors such as product rotation, changes in quality or quantity, and shifting consumer preferences can influence month-to-month variations.