Canadians continued to feel pressure at the grocery store in April, even as overall inflation remained relatively subdued.
Statistics Canada reported that food purchased from stores rose 3.5 per cent year-over-year in April, with several everyday grocery staples seeing much steeper increases.
Overall inflation accelerated to 2.8 per cent in April, up from 2.4 per cent in March.
Beef prices continue to surge
Meat remains one of the biggest contributors to food inflation, with beef prices continuing to climb due to tight cattle supplies across North America.
Over the last year, Statistics Canada said beef striploin cuts, per kilogram saw the largest increase of $9.61 and now stands at $42.42.
Along with beef striploin cuts, beef rib cuts and stewing beef have all seen significant increases over the past year.
The average price of beef rib cuts per kilogram increased by $2.35 and can be purchased for $30.46 as of April 2026. Beef top sirloin cuts increased by $2.74 and has an average price tag of $28.94.
As for beef stewing cuts per kilogram, customers saw a price increase of $1.86 and goes for $22.51 on average.
The average price of ground beef reached $15.59 per kilogram in April - a $1.42 increase compared to last year.
Farmers have attributed these increases to cattle prices. The latest market data compiled by Trading Economics shows cattle prices are up nearly 20 per cent over the past year.
A combination of drought and rising input costs has made it more expensive to raise cattle.
Dry conditions across Western Canada and the U.S. Midwest have reduced available grass and driven up feed costs, forcing some producers to cut back.
Coffee remains a source of sticker shock
Coffee continues to rank among the fastest-rising grocery items.
Average prices for a 340-gram package of roasted coffee have climbed sharply over the past year, driven by poor harvest in major coffee-producing countries, weather disruptions and ongoing supply chain pressures.
Now, in April 2026, a 340-gram package of roasted or ground coffee costs $9.39 - an increase of 20.69 per cent or dollar value of $1.61 compared to April 2025 that sat at $7.78.
Fresh vegetables see another big jump
Produce prices also remain elevated.
In April, Statistics Canada reported vegetables were up 7.8 per cent year-over-year, making them one of the largest contributors to grocery inflation and the largest year-over-year increase since August 2023.
Tomatoes per kilogram jumped from $4.69 in April 2025 to $6.18 in April 2026.
Other items
- A 900-gram package of infant formula costs an average of $49.72 in April, an increase of $1.48
- Salmon per kilogram increased by $1.24 in April, costing an average of $28
- Three litres of canola oil increased by an average of 46 cents in April, with an average price tag of $10.06
With files from CTV’s National News Kathy Le
