Statistics Canada reports that a rapid rise in prices for fresh vegetables in December offset slower price growth for other food items and kept overall food inflation high. Inflation data showed prices for food rose 11 percent in December compared with a year ago, slightly down from the 11.4 percent price growth reported in November.
Fresh vegetable prices rose 13.6 percent in December after a November increase of 11.2 percent, the report said. This offset slower growth in items like non-alcoholic beverages, coffee and tea, bakery products, and preserved fruit preparations.
StatsCan attributed the “accelerated price growth” for vegetables to poor weather in growing regions, leading to a 21.9 percent year-over-year price hike for tomatoes and an 11.7 percent increase for other fresh vegetables.
Source: bnnbloomberg.ca