“As Canadians face higher food prices this holiday season, many are exploring innovative ways to celebrate, emphasizing the spirit of togetherness and shared joy, regardless of the menu on the table,” Agri-Food Analytics Lab director Dr. Sylvain Charlebois said in the report.
The price of turkey has risen by five percent, the price of potatoes 6.6 percent, and the price of carrots 12.8 percent since 2022, Mr. Charlebois, also known as the ‘Food Professor,’ said.
High food prices may convince many Canadians to shift away from traditional turkey and stuffing toward lower-cost alternatives, the report said. Switching out turkey for ham, for instance, would reduce the cost of the meal by approximately $7.79 on average.
Mr. Charlebois also said cutting costs around Christmas may not require “sacrificing our most beloved meal items” and that searching the internet for low-cost dish ideas is also an option.
“This is an opportunity to share not only the cost of the meal, but also the enjoyment, without putting too much financial and social pressure on the host or the guests,” he said.
The 2022 report blamed higher food prices on destabilization from international events like the Russia-Ukraine War, high oil prices, the weakness of the Canadian dollar compared to the U.S. dollar driving up the cost of imported American goods, labour shortages in crucial food sectors, and adverse climate events.
