Flyers, coupons and discounted food: Higher prices shift how Canadians buy groceries

The survey by Dalhousie University’s Agri-Food Analytics Lab in partnership with Caddle says food prices are on track to rise nearly five per cent this year

HALIFAXtoday\ Canadian Press

Listen to this article

HALIFAX — A new survey says supply chain issues and adverse weather conditions are driving up food prices and changing how Canadians shop for groceries. 

The survey by Dalhousie University’s Agri-Food Analytics Lab in partnership with Caddle says food prices are on track to rise nearly five per cent this year.

The poll says the rising cost of groceries is shifting consumer behaviour, with more Canadians checking weekly flyers, using coupons and buying grocery-store brands and discounted food close to its expiry date.

Meanwhile, Statistics Canada figures show meat prices are up as much as 10 per cent in six months, a situation the survey says has prompted nearly half of Canadians to report reducing the amount of meat they buy.

The poll also says about three-quarters of Canadians have noticed so-called shrinkflation, the reduction in the amount of food in a package to adjust for inflation without raising prices.

The survey also found that while 86 per cent of all Canadians believe food prices are higher than six months ago, that observation was highest among the baby boom generation with 93 per cent noticing higher food prices.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 29, 2021.

The Canadian Press