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November 06, 2024AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES, SEPTEMBER 2024 Statistics Canada makes available scanner data on prices collected for a range of food and personal care items. These prices are collected through point-of-sale (transaction) data obtained directly from Canadian retailers. The data represent commonly purchased items (which do change over time), but are not representative of the Consumer Price Index weights. Over time, products are rotated and quantity or quality may change. Comparisons of prices from one time period to another August reflect quantity and quality changes as well as price changes.
For the purposes of this analysis, the 110 items reported by Statistics Canada will be grouped into:
- Meat, fish, poultry and meat substitutes
- Dairy, eggs and substitute products
- Fruit (including canned and frozen products)
- Vegetables (including canned and frozen products)
- Grains, cereals, beans, legumes and nuts
- Sugar, juices, cooking oils, condiments and prepared foods
- Health and cleaning products
Beef and salmon were the most expensive of meat and seafood products while chicken and pork were less expensive. Nova Scotia's prices for top sirloin, pork shoulder, whole chicken, and wieners had the largest percentage price premiums compared to the national average. Nova Scotia's prices for certain beef products (striploin, stewing, rib cuts, ground) as well as salmon and chicken thighs were notably below national averages in September.
Over the last year (September 2024 vs September 2023), the consumer price index for all items in Nova Scotia excluding food increased by 0.4%. At the same time average weekly earnings across all Nova Scotia industries increased by 6.2%.
Over the last year, prices for meatless burgers, wieners, chicken breasts, as well as all beef except striploin cuts grew faster than average weekly earnings. Several products reported year-over-year price declines in Nova Scotia - particularly bacon, shrimp, and canned tuna and canned salmon.
Dairy and egg prices were generally higher than the national average in Nova Scotia in September 2024 (exception: milk in 2 litre containers).
Compared with September 2023, most reported dairy prices have grown more slowly than average weekly earnings, with the exceptions of eggs and cream. Average prices declined most year-over-year for soy milk and nut milk.
Prices for reported fruits in Nova Scotia were all higher than the national average for similar products. The largest gaps (in percentage terms) were for grapes, apples, strawberries, oranges and bananas.
Many fruit prices have fallen in the last year. Average weekly wage growth has outpaced growth in average prices for all reported fruits except fresh and frozen strawberries. The largest price declines (in percentage terms) were for apples, lemons and canned peaches.
Almost all reported vegetable prices were higher in Nova Scotia than the national average in September 2024 (exceptions: frozen spinach). In percentage terms, the largest gap was for peppers.
Average weekly wage growth from September 2023 to September 2024 has outpaced price increases for most reported vegetables (exceptions: tomatoes canned and fresh, frozen fries, squash, romaine lettuce, cucumbers, potatoes, and avocados). Several vegetable products reported lower prices over the last year, led by frozen spinach.
Nova Scotia prices for grain, cereal, nut, bean and legume products were higher than the national averages for all reported products except white bread and tofu.
Over the last year, average weekly wages have grown faster than prices for all reported grain, cereal, nut, bean and legume products except sunflower seeds and dried lentils. Many grain, nut, bean and cereal prices fell in Nova Scotia over the last year, with the largest decline in the price of dry or fresh pasta.
Among prepared foods, condiments, cooking oils, fruit juices and sugar as reported by Statistics Canada, prices in Nova Scotia exceeded the national averages in September 2024 for all products except white sugar and hummus.
Several prepared products had price growth faster than growth in average weekly earnings, with notable increases for pasta sauce, infant formula, olive oil, and orange juice. There were notable year-over-year declines in prices for canola oil, vegetable oil, and canned soup.
Of all products reported by Statistics Canada, infant formula (900 grams) has the highest transaction price based on the volume chosen. Nova Scotia infant formula prices were slightly lower than the national average in September 2024.
Prices for health/cleaning products were slightly lower in Nova Scotia than the national average, with the exception of toothpaste.
Over the last year, prices for health and cleaning products were mostly down (exception: deodorant). Laundry detergent price was down most substantially.
Trends (September 2024 vs September 2019)
Food prices have been distorted in recent years by global market conditions following the pandemic and Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Compared with September 2019, prices for many meat products have grown faster than average weekly earnings in Nova Scotia. The exceptions were: meatless burgers, seafood, bacon, chicken except whole chicken, pork and beef ribs.
Over the last 5 years, the prices of eggs, margarine, butter and milk in 4 liters have all grown faster than average weekly earnings.
Over the last 5 years, most reported fruit prices have not grown as quickly as average weekly earnings (exceptions: canned pears, fresh strawberries, cantaloupe, grapes, and oranges).
Over the last 5 years, vegetable prices have outpaced wage growth for the following products: canned corn, canned tomatoes, frozen french fries, squash, carrots and tomatoes.
Over the last 5 years, prices for many reported grain, cereal, bean, legume and nut products have been behind growth in average weekly earnings (exceptions: peanuts, tofu, dried lentils, canned baked beans, cereal, brown rice and dried or fresh pasta).
Over the last 5 years, prices for most reported foods in this category grew faster than average weekly earnings (exceptions: hummus, baby food, canola oil, coffee, and frozen pizza).
Over the last 5 years, prices of reported health and cleaning products have grown faster than average weekly earnings in Nova Scotia except for laundry detergent.
Source: Statistics Canada. Table 18-10-0245-01 Monthly average retail prices for selected products; Table 18-10-0004-01 Consumer Price Index, monthly, not seasonally adjusted; Table 14-10-0063-01 Employee wages by industry, monthly, unadjusted for seasonality
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