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April 01, 2026AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES, FEBRUARY 2026 Year-over-year (February 2026 vs February 2025)
Over the last year (February 2026 vs February 2025), the consumer price index for all items in Nova Scotia excluding food increased by 1.1%. Food prices as a whole rose 5.2% (influenced by the effects of temporary HST relief on food purchased from restaurants that was in place for part of February 2025 but not February 2026). At the same time average weekly earnings across all Nova Scotia industries increased by 4.5%.
In the last year, the following products reported lower prices in Nova Scotia: canned salmon, butter, block cheese, eggs, oranges, per kilogram, pears, limes, cantaloupe, avocado, potatoes, per kilogram, sweet potatoes, cabbage, carrots, onions, per kilogram, cucumber, peppers, squash, salad greens, frozen french fried potatoes, frozen green beans, frozen corn, frozen mixed vegetables, frozen peas, frozen pizza, flatbread and pita, crackers and crisp breads, white sugar, olive oil, peanut butter, mayonnaise, canned baked beans.
The following products reported price growth that exceeded the gains in average weekly earnings: beef stewing cuts, beef striploin cuts, beef top sirloin cuts, beef rib cuts, ground beef, pork loin cuts, pork rib cuts, whole chicken, chicken breasts, chicken thigh, chicken drumsticks, bacon, shrimp, canned tuna, meatless burgers, soy milk, bananas, lemons, strawberries, tomatoes, celery, iceberg lettuce, romaine lettuce, broccoli, frozen broccoli, frozen spinach, frozen strawberries, cookies and sweet biscuits, dry or fresh pasta, brown rice, wheat flour, apple juice, orange juice, roasted or ground coffee, tea (20 bags), canola oil, baby food, infant formula, canned tomatoes, canned soup, canned beans and lentils, canned peach, canned pear, dried lentils, tofu, pasta sauce, salad dressing, almonds, peanuts, sunflower seeds, toothpaste, shampoo, laundry detergent.
Nova Scotia prices relative to national average (February 2026)
Nova Scotia food prices were below national averages for the following products: beef striploin cuts, ground beef, whole chicken, chicken thigh, wieners, salmon, shrimp, canned salmon, milk, 2 litres, cabbage, cucumber, romaine lettuce, peppers, frozen french fried potatoes, frozen green beans, frozen corn, frozen mixed vegetables, frozen peas, frozen pizza, peanut butter, mayonnaise, pasta sauce, shampoo.
Nova Scotia food prices were more than 10% higher than the national averages for the following products: beef top sirloin cuts, beef rib cuts, pork rib cuts, pork shoulder cuts, chicken breasts, chicken drumsticks, cream, eggs, apples, oranges, per kilogram, bananas, pears, limes, grapes, cantaloupe, strawberries, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, onions, per kilogram, mushrooms, broccoli, flatbread and pita, wheat flour, vegetable oil, canola oil, canned beans and lentils, dried lentils.
Notes: 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 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
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
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