Latest news with #Agri-FoodAnalyticsLab
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Beef prices surge as barbecue season approaches
Canadians looking to grill some burgers and steaks as the summer barbecue season heats up may find themselves paying much more for beef, prompting one food expert to call for an investigation. Prices for striploin steak are 34.2 per cent higher since January, while top sirloin is up 33.7 per cent, according to Statistics Canada. Pork ribs and chicken breasts are each up 5.9 per cent during the same period. 'For many Canadian families, a summer steak on the grill is starting to feel more like a splurge than a staple,' Sylvain Charlebois, director of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University, said in a recent report. 'Consumers will continue to enjoy beef, but with moderation and on occasions that justify the cost.' He pointed to several factors behind the jump in beef prices, including transportation costs, the carbon tax, the number of licensed beef processors and labour costs. Canadian inventory is also an issue since it has fallen to 3.38 million head, the lowest level since 1989. 'Many cattle producers are exiting the industry while prices are favourable, opting to reinvest in less volatile sectors or shift entirely to crop production,' Charlebois said. 'In short, the Canadian beef industry is retreating and becoming increasingly risk-averse.' Canadians are already taking notice of the price hikes in the past few years. Per capita beef consumption fell 7.1 per cent in 2023 and another 2.1 per cent in 2024, according to IBISWorld data. 'This is no longer just a matter of shifting dietary preferences; it's a structural shift in consumer behaviour,' Charlebois said. 'Beef is increasingly seen as a luxury item, with ground beef becoming the primary choice for budget-conscious households still committed to red meat.' He also wonders if producers in Canada are taking advantage of the situation. In the United States, former president Joe Biden tried to crack down on anticompetitive practices in the food industry, specifically price fixing in the meat sector. In February, Brazilian meatpacking company JBS SA agreed to pay US$83.5 to settle claims that it worked with other companies to artificially inflate prices. Under the settlement, JBS must also work with U.S. investigators looking into similar claims at Tyson Foods Inc., Cargill Inc. and National Beef Packing Co. LLC. JBS has called the claims against it 'frivolous and without merit,' but is settling because it is in the company's best interest. 'The Canadian Competition Bureau, by contrast, has remained largely silent on similar concerns,' Charlebois said. 'Perhaps it's time for that to change.' Prices on thousands of grocery items to rise despite tariff break, says Loblaw Canada has lost its global agricultural trading edge, RBC report says The Competition Bureau said investigations are confidential, so it can not reveal information on current investigations. 'The bureau must conduct a thorough and complete examination of the facts regarding any issue before reaching any conclusion as to whether the Competition Act has been contravened,' a spokesperson for the agency said in a statement. 'If we find evidence of activities that could raise concerns under the law, we will take action.' • Email: bcousins@ Sign in to access your portfolio
Time of India
07-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Canada's biggest worry right now is not Trump, it's something in their homes
Continue to video 5 5 Next Stay Playback speed 1x Normal Back 0.25x 0.5x 1x Normal 1.5x 2x 5 5 / Skip Ads by Live Events Canadians are feeling the pressure of rising food prices as a new report from Dalhousie University 's Agri-Food Analytics Lab shows that people across the country are increasingly worried about the cost of many buying less food than they did in 2024, food affordability is now the number one concern for Canadians when it comes to inflation The Spring 2025 Canadian Food Sentiment Index surveyed 3,000 Canadians in March and found that more people now expect food prices to keep rising, with many worried about double-digit increases in the coming many families, the days of using coupons or switching stores to save a few dollars seem to be over. Instead, many are focusing on balancing their budgets and making smarter choices, like buying store brands or in bulk.'I used to clip coupons and hunt for the best deals, but now it feels like a losing battle,' says Sarah, a mother of two in Vancouver. 'I try to stick to the essentials and focus on buying what we need. It's been tough, but I'm learning to make our grocery budget stretch further.'On the flip side, this issue has pushed Canadians into buying more local food. The report shows that 43.5 per cent of people say they 'always' or 'often' buy local, a 10 per cent increase from previous trend is especially strong among younger Canadians. For many, buying local isn't just about saving money but also about supporting local farmers and Moulaison, the general manager of Arthur's Urban Market, says, "People are focused on supporting local businesses, and we're seeing more of them shop here."The survey also found that people trust independent grocery stores more than before. As food prices climb, many Canadians are turning to these stores for alternatives to big-chain feeling more stable about other costs, food prices remain the greatest challenge for many Canadians, shaping their shopping habits and priorities.
Vancouver Sun
06-05-2025
- Business
- Vancouver Sun
Canadians are bracing for more food inflation amid U.S. trade war: new report
Food prices remain top of mind for many, according to the second issue of the bi-annual Canadian Food Sentiment Index by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab (AAL). Nearly 85 per cent of respondents reported that food prices have increased over the last 12 months. There was also a 'dramatic' shift of perception in where food inflation might be headed over the next year. In the face of trade-war uncertainty, more than one in four Canadians are bracing for double-digit inflation. Respondents expecting 'more than 10 per cent' inflation jumped from 18.6 per cent in fall 2024 to 28.5 per cent in spring 2025. Discover the best of B.C.'s recipes, restaurants and wine. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of West Coast Table will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. 'It's not surprising that food is still a very big concern, and I think that's important in itself because we have been focused on affordability of food for quite some time,' says Stacey Taylor, an assistant professor of business analytics at Cape Breton University and one of the report's authors. Based on responses from roughly 3,000 respondents across the country every six months, the Canadian Food Sentiment Index was inspired by Purdue University's Consumer Food Insights report on Americans. The index measures Canadians' perceptions and attitudes on issues ranging from food affordability to consumer trust. According to the Canadian Food Sentiment Index, people are most concerned about the rising cost of food, leading all categories, including housing, utilities and transportation. 'Six months ago, most people believed we were seeing the light at the end of the tunnel: 'It's almost over. Everything is going to return to normal.' But then, we surveyed people again in March and saw that, so, no. It's not going anywhere,' says Armağan Özbilge, another of the report's authors and an assistant professor in Dalhousie University's Faculty of Management . As long as the trade war continues, Özbilge expects worries to persist. And though we won't necessarily see a 10 per cent increase, some foods, such as fruit, will be 'significantly more expensive.' The pessimistic outlook shared by some Canadians is a valid one. Though food inflation stabilized in 2024, Sylvain Charlebois, senior director of the AAL and author of the report, predicts an increase. 'We're expecting things to get a little dicey for consumers this year compared to last year, but we're not going to go back to the 10 or 11 per cent that we saw a few years ago because of the illegal invasion of Ukraine.' In contrast to claims of greedflation and price gouging during 2023's affordability crisis, the Canadian Food Sentiment Index suggests that consumers' wariness of grocers may be in the rearview mirror. Trust in all food institutions increased from fall 2024 to spring 2025. Independent grocers experienced the largest gain, but confidence increased across the board, from major grocers and food manufacturers to farmers' market merchants and government agencies. They're not huge increases, highlights Taylor, but represent a positive shift. '(Trust) is going to be really important, especially now with what's going on with the trade wars and the continued inflation.' Faith in independent grocers, in particular, indicates that people are starting to think about where they're buying their food — not just what they're purchasing, says Charlebois. 'Independents have struggled the last little while. People are paying more attention to the smaller shops — the independently owned and the Canadian-owned shops — that are out there offering unique and innovative products.' Charlebois adds that getting in front of consumers can be challenging for food entrepreneurs. 'It's always tough to deal with larger grocers. If you have independents willing to give it a shot, that's good news for innovation. That's good news for variety and consumers.' According to the report, 10 per cent of respondents buy local foods more often than they did six months ago, which the authors attributed in part to the availability of spring produce as well as the 'Buy Canadian' movement. Nearly half (43.5 per cent) choose local foods always or often. 'People are seeking more Canadian food. More people are checking the origin of the items they're purchasing,' says Özbilge. Taylor adds: 'Never in my life have I seen such patriotism in Canada, and it's really coming through in all that we're doing. And so it's great to see, certainly, when people go to the grocery store and see that ' made in Canada ,' or '100 per cent Canadian-made' or whatever it may be. It focuses their attention on where their food is coming from, and I don't think that's ever a bad idea.' Affordability (42 per cent) remains the leading factor driving food purchases, followed by nutrition (25 per cent) and taste (18 per cent). Respondents are checking best-before dates more often, and on the sustainability front, recycling food packaging increased, and reducing food waste at home improved. 'Sustainability is getting back to people's minds as they're trying to shake off this monetary pressure,' says Özbilge. He notes that many people misunderstand best-before dates. They're an indicator of food quality — not food safety. 'When I see those trends, they're minimal, but I think they might be meaningful towards reducing waste.' The report suggests that spending on food service is increasing year-over-year (+3.8 per cent) while retail is decreasing (-0.58 per cent). Canada is a world leader in remote work , Charlebois underscores. Full-time employees spend nearly two days a week at home, according to the Global Survey of Working Arrangements . He sees the uptick in service as a sign that even when working remotely, there's a desire to go to coffee shops or restaurants to socialize, which could create opportunities for establishments in the suburbs versus downtown cores. Compared to fall 2024, more people are buying in bulk and opting for generic or store brands over brand-name products. The Canadian Food Sentiment Index also shows an increase in purchasing grass-fed beef and cage-free eggs. The popularity of the omnivorous diet (no specific restrictions) dropped, while others, including flexitarian (primarily plant-based with occasional consumption of animal products), paleo, vegan and keto, increased. Despite its emphasis on affordability and expectations of double-digit inflation, the Canadian Food Sentiment Index suggests many are taking a holistic view — not just focusing on pocketbook issues. 'I think this report indicates the end of the food inflation storm we've been in for the last few years,' says Charlebois. 'People are starting to think about what they're eating again instead of just trying to survive.' Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our cookbook and recipe newsletter, Cook This, here .
CBC
17-03-2025
- Business
- CBC
Trying to buy Canadian, this P.E.I. shopper wants more transparency on grocery labels
Social Sharing With many Prince Edward Islanders committed to buying Canadian products in the midst of a trade war with the United States, some are learning that figuring out what country a product is from can be complicated. One shopper at a Sobeys in Charlottetown recently noticed a produce bin stating that the food was from "U.S.A. or Mexico," without specifying which of the two countries it was actually from. Jackie Rumney emailed the grocery chain's head office to find out why. She was told that the stores receive produce from multiple locations daily, and it's "difficult to differentiate as the bins are constantly being stocked." "That didn't sit well with me because of the fact that all of the produce in the stores have little stickers on them stating the country of origin," Rumney told CBC News. "Right now, all of us Canadians are trying to shop Canadian as much as possible, and when you see something like that, it's making it very hard to do that. We need transparent, clear signs that articulate what country of origin our food is coming from." WATCH | Why this Prince Edward Island woman is calling for more clarity around grocery store labels: Why this Prince Edward Island woman is calling for more clarity around grocery store labels 2 hours ago Duration 2:08 Jackie Rumney was grocery shopping recently when she noticed a food label that said the product was from 'U.S.A. or Mexico.' She says that's not good enough as Canadians take action with their wallets during the ongoing trade war. As Connor Lamont reports, Rumney wants stores to make it easier to see which products are American. Saying she hasn't noticed this type of label at other grocery stores she's checked, Rumney acknowledges she might have seen the produce sign at Sobeys before the trade war broke out. But now, with the U.S. continuing to slap tariffs on many Canadian products and a growing movement to boycott American goods, the country of origin is top of mind for her. In a further statement to CBC News, a spokesperson for Sobeys said the produce supply chain is complex, but the company works to deliver transparency to its customers. "It is quite standard to work with two growing regions, which may or may not be in the same country, carefully balancing quality and availability to ensure our customers receive fresh, high-quality produce," the statement reads. "Our goal is to maintain consistent quality and choice while adapting to the natural growing cycles around the world." Trying to make an 'educated choice' Sylvain Charlebois, director of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University, said the dual country labelling is nothing new; the source of produce that makes it to grocery stores will often change throughout the year because different regions have earlier or later growing seasons. But with the current focus on not buying American products, it's natural that shoppers want more specificity, he said. "It is actually allowed and legal, but I think a lot of people are wondering whether or not it is appropriate or acceptable given what's happening with the United States," Charlebois said. "It's not misleading, but… given the political context, when you see a huge number of Canadians rejecting one option over the other, then it becomes a problem." WATCH | PM Carney asked how Canada will hit back against coming April 2 U.S. tariff deadline: PM Carney asked how Canada will hit back against coming April 2 U.S. tariff deadline 3 hours ago Duration 2:16 Prime Minister Mark Carney said revenues from tariffs in Canada could be used to support Canadian business owners and workers who may be affected by the escalating trade war with the U.S. under President Donald Trump. As for Rumney, she said she'll "think twice" about shopping at Sobeys in the future. She said the onus for determining a product's country of origin should be on the business, not the individual customer. "I want to do my part, but I also want the stores to do their part. I want them to be transparent and say where exactly the country of origin is so that I as a consumer can make that educated choice," she said. "I just would like to know that these big companies in Canada are supporting our fight as much as we are as consumers."
CBC
09-03-2025
- Business
- CBC
Saskatchewan farmers brace as China imposes tariffs on crops
Social Sharing Saskatchewan farmers are feeling the weight of an escalating global trade war after China announced retaliatory tariffs on Canadian canola oil, peas and oil cakes. The move follows the federal government's decision on Oct. 1 to impose 100 per cent tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and a 25 per cent levy on its aluminum and steel products. Bill Prybylski, president of the Agriculture Producers Association of Saskatchewan, says producers saw this coming. "We're not surprised," Prybylski said. "Ever since the federal government announced tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, it was highly anticipated that the Chinese government would retaliate in some manner." Sylvain Charlebois, director of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University, says China's decision is part of a strategic geopolitical move. "China has a history of using tariffs as a political tool," Charlebois said. "This isn't just about trade — it's about exerting pressure on Canada." Prybylski says canola is a cornerstone of Saskatchewan's economy, with about 20 million acres seeded annually. Lee Moats, a Saskatchewan farmer and former board member of Saskatchewan Pulse Growers, says the tariffs are going to hurt farmers in western Canada. "Canola and peas are two very important markets for western Canadian farmers," Moats said. "In a world of uncertainty, this just adds a new and disturbing level of uncertainty for us." Prybylski says China and the United States are the province's biggest export markets, meaning any disruption in trade has serious financial consequences for producers. "Anytime there's a tariff like this, it's going to affect prices," Prybylski explained. "When there was talk of tariffs going into the United States, our canola prices took a sharp drop. They've since recovered somewhat, but now they're on a decline again. This is just going to exacerbate the situation." Moats agrees. "If we're shut out of these marketplaces, that would have a very significant and perhaps catastrophic impact on our canola industry," he said. Moats says farmers like himself have no choice but to move forward in this new market reality. "We have no way of impacting what the governments of the U.S. or China do. We're just having to adapt. This will be a test of whether we have the resilience and financial planning to tolerate a shock to our marketplace."
