If you’ve found yourself hesitating at the butter, coughing at the coffee, or struggling in the chocolate aisle recently, you’re not alone.
Food prices have been on the rise for over a year, with grocery inflation steadily increasing since April 2024, as reported by Statistics Canada. Shoppers saw a four percent hike in grocery prices in September compared to the same period last year.
While overall food costs have surged, certain items have hit our wallets harder than others. Beef, coffee, and confectionery are among the top culprits contributing to rising grocery bills.
Let’s delve into some of the priciest grocery items and explore the reasons behind their steep costs.
Coffee Takes the Lead
The saying goes that the things we love most hurt us the most, and coffee has been a prime example with its skyrocketing prices in recent months.
Coffee prices surged by 28.6 percent over the past year, surpassing all other food items tracked by Statistics Canada’s consumer price index. The cost of roasted or ground coffee spiked by 41 percent in September compared to the previous year.
According to Statistics Canada’s retail data, the average monthly price for 340 grams of roasted or ground coffee shot up by 34 percent since January alone. For instance, a large tub of Maxwell House ground coffee was priced at $20 at Loblaws, while a tub of Nabob Bold cost a hefty $35.99 at Sobeys.
Even Tim Hortons had to adjust its coffee prices for the first time in three years, citing an increase of about three cents per cup. This spike in coffee prices is attributed to global price hikes earlier this year due to supply issues in major coffee-producing countries like Brazil and Vietnam.
Additionally, U.S. tariffs on Brazilian goods have disrupted the global coffee market, pushing prices higher.
