Latest news with #Agri-FoodAnalyticsLab
Hamilton Spectator
29-06-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Cracking the case of the global black pepper shortage — should you stock up on the spice?
Whether you're marinating meat, making a homemade alfredo sauce or adding a kick to your salad, you likely reach for black pepper in your spice cabinet — but there are concerns that this universally-loved household spice might soon become harder to come by. South of the border, prices for black pepper jumped by six per cent in late November due to a global shortage of black peppercorn, according to a report from U.S. spice manufacturer and importer Majestic Spice. Seven months later, supplies remain short across the world and costs have remained steep. With black pepper production down, will Canadians have to say goodbye to flavourful recipes benefitting from the bold, earthy spice? Here's what you need to know. There have been issues with crop yields in countries where black pepper is produced including Vietnam, India and Brazil, some of which are the top providers of the spice to Canada and for most of the world, said Sylvain Charlebois, senior director of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University, who specializes in food distribution and policy. 'Pepper is not always easy to grow when you don't have the proper climate,' Charlebois said, adding that another challenge causing the shortage is that many farmers have 'pivoted' and opted to grow other crops that are more profitable, such as coffee and cocoa. Black pepper production in India dropped by 16 per cent year over year, Majestic Spice reported in May, noting production was down seven per cent in Vietnam. According to research, climate change and unpredictable weather in peppercorn-producing countries affects the quality and taste of black pepper, making the crops less profitable for farmers. There have also been supply chain issues since the COVID-19 pandemic and the market has yet to recover, Charlebois said, adding to the increase in costs. The black pepper shortage and rising prices in Canada started about a year ago but most people haven't noticed, according to Charlebois. This is due to people purchasing black pepper once every two to three years, he said, and less frequently than other food items. According to Statistics Canada consumer price data , Canadians saw a 2.5 per cent increase in the cost of 'condiments, spices and vinegars index' in May compared to the same period last year. This index includes black pepper and other items such as pickled olives, pickles, tomato ketchup, plain spaghetti sauce, BBQ sauce, salsa, hot sauce, mustard, hummus, salad dressings, mayonnaise, dried herbs, beef or chicken concentrate and table salt. Free on Board costs — which include transportation, loading, and related costs — of pepper in Vietnam have jumped from $4.30/kg in early 2023 to $6.10 to $6.20/kg in recent months— an approximate increase of 43 per cent in just under two years , according to Majestic Spice. But Charlebois said black pepper buyers who purchase once every few years may not notice a higher price than the previous one. 'People tend to actually look at prices much more carefully when they do buy products at a high frequency. Pepper — that's not the case. That's why demand elasticity is quite high,' he said. He expects prices to drop eventually as 'demand will move away for a while' and climate-related issues that affect production supply, tend to be temporary. 'Olive oil is a good example of that. Last couple of years, olive production in Spain, Greece and Portugal was anemic and olive oil prices skyrocketed. But harvest in 2024 was incredibly strong and prices dropped dramatically. That's my expectation for black pepper as well,' Charlebois said. Canadian companies are keeping an eye on the pepper shortage, Charlebois said, but since huge quantities of black pepper aren't required to make most products, manufacturers aren't yet worried as some do keep supplies in stock as well. Cooks and food manufacturers don't have to panic if they're short on black pepper, he added, as recipes for meals and food products can be reformulated using other, less costly ingredients to make up for the missing pepper. 'We've been seeing this with cocoa for a while and we saw that with vanilla for many years— when a spice becomes more expensive or an ingredient becomes more expensive, typically the supply chain adjusts by using less of it or they replace it with something else. And typically consumers don't even notice the difference,' he said. A black pepper shortage may affect the taste of some foods if it's missing from the recipe, since there is no substitute for the spice. However, there are some alternatives that could give dishes a similar heat. Shayma Saadat , a Toronto-based food writer and content creator, makes many trips to the grocery store to stock up on ingredients and although she's heard about the black pepper shortage, she hasn't seen people hoarding the spice. Saadat says a black pepper shortage 'opens up a window' for consumers to expand their pantry and to experiment with other spices in their food, but to not think of these new spices as replacements for black pepper. 'Black pepper is not like salt. We can't eat food without salt, but we can definitely eat food without black pepper,' Saadat said, adding that she hopes cooks can think of other spices as 'new ways of enhancing your food.' While there are several types of pepper spices, each one has a unique taste. White peppercorn is derived from the same plant as black peppercorn but its appearance and taste differs. Saadat enjoys using white pepper in her cuisine , saying the spice has an aromatic, musky scent, but is also milder than black pepper. She also recommends using pink peppercorn, which is not botanically related to black pepper, but has a soft heat and 'floral, perfumed sweetness.' 'Black pepper has a bit of a peppery tingle, so it's the same thing with these,' Saadat said, adding that pink peppercorn is a bit more subtle in heat than black peppercorn. Pink peppercorn can be used to flavour and give a visual appeal to pink salmon, in vinaigrettes and in drinks like cocktails, Saadat said. Consumers can also try to include aleppo pepper in their recipes, which Saadat describes as having a 'slow building heat' with a fruity dimension, perfect for flavouring scrambled eggs in the morning. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. 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Hamilton Spectator
28-06-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Ontario BBQ price sticker shock — why meat is so expensive in Canada this summer
If you've bought meat recently at a grocery store or butcher shop in Ontario, you've likely experienced sticker shock. Beef in particular has shot up in price. This means barbecue favourites such as hamburgers, steak and beef hot dogs will be more expensive this summer. Sylvain Charlebois, senior director for the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University, said beef prices have risen significantly. The Canadian T-Bone steak (Right) more expensive — about 60% more per kg than U.S. one (Left). In Canada, steaks travel further, get taxed harder, and Canada is not flooded with cheap imports, unlike the U.S., which imports beef from countries like Australia, Mexico, and Brazil. Drought and farmers selling off and cashing out of the business have contributed to the price increases. Farmers aren't coming back, and others aren't reinvesting in their herds. 'That's certainly something that has a lot of people by surprise,' he said. 'Typically when prices go up, farmers are incentivized to reinvest to actually grow more — but we're not seeing it right now.' Last year, Canada's cattle herd was the smallest since 1987, when the country had 15 million fewer people. Other factors broadly at play in beef price increases include Canada's vast geography, higher labour and transportation costs, carbon pricing and, as well, a limited number of federally licensed beef processors. High interest rates are also thought to be impacting typically risk-averse cattle farmers, Charlebois said. Since January, according to Statistics Canada, beef prices have surged at an alarming pace. Striploin is up 34.2 per cent, top sirloin 33.7 per cent and rib cuts nearly 12 per cent, according to Sylvain Charlebois. In Canada, the price per kilograms for striploin cuts and sirloin cuts has gone up 30 to 35 per cent since December, Charlebois says. 'It's making bison look like a bargain,' he said. Charlebois said on average, beef prices are about $20 to $25 per kilogram — and some cuts are over $100. The significant increase in the cost of beef has also contributed to the rise in food inflation and why many might be looking to swap their steak for sausage or chicken. Charlebois said chicken and pork prices haven't increased in the same way as beef. 'Everything has gone up at the meat counter — but increases impacting poultry and pork have been more reasonable,' he said. Statistics Canada data shows a modest increase in price for some chicken products, such as whole chicken and chicken thighs, in between January and April 2025. The price of a whole chicken rose 7.7 per cent from January to April — jumping from $5.73 to $6.17 per kilogram. Chicken thighs increased by slightly less — 7.3 per cent — increasing from $11.34 to $12.17 in the same period, while chicken breasts saw a slight reduction in price in the same period. Chicken quarters and burgers being grilled. Pork loin cuts, rib cuts and shoulder cuts have all seen their prices increase in the first four months of 2025. Pork rib cuts have increased by 15 per cent — from $7.94 per kilogram to $9.17 per kilogram from January to April, according to StatCan data. Pork shoulder cuts rose by 58.9 per cent in the same period — increasing from $6.18 per kilogram in January to $9.82 per kilogram in April. Pork loin cuts saw a more modest 10 per cent increase from $8.77 to $9.66 per kilogram from January to April. Pork products — including ribs — have increased in price this year. With the price of many meats on the rise, tofu and other meat alternatives are starting to look more attractive. The price of tofu was $2.73 per 300 grams in April — rising only slightly from $2.56 in January. Grill-able halloumi cheese can also be an alternative — coming in at around $4 to $10 per 250 grams, depending on the store and brand. Grilling marinated tofu or halloumi on a skewer with in-season vegetables or vegetables from your garden can be a good way to save money while grilling. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- 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 .
