Are you feeling stuck in a grocery rut? The culprit might just be the rising cost of chicken thighs.
Canada’s inflation rate saw a slight decrease last month, but grocery prices are still on the rise. The latest consumer price index (CPI) data from Statistics Canada reveals that overall inflation dropped to 2.8% in June due to lower gas prices, yet certain grocery items became more expensive.
Chicken thighs saw the biggest month-over-month price increase, surging by 8.2% from May to June, significantly higher than the increases seen in beef and coffee. Year over year, chicken thigh prices rose by 13.6% compared to the previous June.
While items like cucumbers, tomatoes, and grapes saw price drops from May to June, the cost of chicken thighs continued to climb.
For instance, a club pack of boneless, skinless chicken thighs was priced at $22.18 at a Loblaws store in Toronto. Meanwhile, a Walmart in North Vancouver sold a value pack of boneless, skinless chicken thighs for $22.48, and a Halifax Sobeys offered Our Compliments boneless, skinless chicken thighs for $20.92 per kilogram.
Experts Weigh In on Grocery Trends
Michael von Massow, a food agriculture professor at the University of Guelph in Ontario, explains that the fluctuating price of chicken is mainly driven by consumer demand. As protein prices rise, people are opting for more budget-friendly options like chicken thighs over pricier choices such as beef.
Von Massow highlights that demand plays a crucial role in determining prices, emphasizing that there are limits to the availability of certain cuts like chicken thighs.
WATCH | Temporary lower gas prices bring down inflation:
Gas prices dropped by 10 per cent in June, which helped bring down Canada’s overall inflation rate, but escalating conflict in the Middle East already has fuel costs soaring again in July.
Searching for Affordable Proteins
With rising prices across various protein sources, including beef and chicken, consumers are exploring alternative options. While plant-based proteins like beans and lentils offer affordability, they require more preparation time compared to traditional meat options