Last updated on March 16, 2022

According to StatCan, the average annual household expenditure on food in Canada in 2019 increased to $10,311 CAD and will continue to grow.

Despite fluctuations in food prices, consumption increases, and it’s hard to point out why. Caddle is here to share what Canadians think about this phenomenon. 

Keeping this in mind, Caddle asked our Daily Survey Panel about their thoughts on increasing food prices and food consumption.

All I See are Empty Shelves…

Caddle asked their Daily Survey Panel how often they are witnessing empty shelves now more than before the pandemic and most Canadian primary grocery shoppers responded with “often” (75.6%) followed by “about the same” (18.8%) and “not often” (5.7%). Out of this, Females, Gen Zers and those living in the Atlantic provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island are witnessing empty shelves a lot more often.

Chart showing grocery shoppers perception towards empty shelves

Which Products are Driving Empty Shelves?

Since many Canadian Primary Grocery Shoppers witnessed an increase in empty shelves, Caddle wanted to know which product categories were being purchased more now than before the pandemic. Respondents noticed that the top categories driving this perception are “Dry Goods” (48.2%), “Paper Products and Household Chemicals” (36.7%) and “Meat and Fresh Produce” (36.9%). 

Chart showing consumers perception of the top products with empty shelves while grocery shopping

Do Canadians Think Prices are High?

Caddle wanted to know how Canadian primary grocery shoppers feel towards the current grocery prices and asked their Daily Survey Panel if they think their grocery bills are higher now as compared to before the pandemic and the top answer was “Increased a lot” (45%). Out of these females, Gen Xers and those living in the Atlantic provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island are the top demographics noticing an increase. 

What’s So Expensive?

Inflation doesn’t spare anyone or anything, and as grocery prices have been increasing Caddle wanted to know which grocery items are driving this perception. Canadian primary grocery shoppers answered that they witnessed the most increase in “Meat prices” (78.6%), followed by “Fresh fruits and vegetables” (72.9%) and “Dairy/butter/cheese” (59.8%). 

Chart showing consumers perception while grocery shopping of product categories with high prices after the pandemic

Main Takeaways

No.1 |

Most Canadian primary grocery shoppers (75.6%) are witnessing that grocery stores have empty shelves now as compared to before the pandemic. 

No.2 |

The categories that mostly have empty shelves are “Dry Goods” (48.2%), “Paper Products and Household Chemicals” (36.7%) and “Meat and Fresh Produce” (36.9%). 

No.3 |

Canadian primary grocery shoppers noticed the most change in meat prices (78.6%) after the pandemic.  

Liked what you just read? Caddle has a lot more to offer, check out our blog on online grocery surge or how Canadians pick their grocery store!

*Disclaimer: all data presented is owned by Caddle and has a Margin of Error of 1% or lower.

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