Guelph/Saint John New Brunswick – The tenth edition of Canada’s Food Price Report, published annually by Dalhousie University and the University of Guelph, has been released.
You will pay almost $500 more for your groceries in 2020 than 2019. Blame climate change and China’s appetite from more protein in their diet.
In 2019, of the major food category predictions were met with the exception of meat, seafood and vegetables. In 2019, their models predicted Canadian families would spend up to $12,157 on food. Based on the 2019 inflation rate to date, they are likely to spend $12,180, missing the target by$23.
In retrospect, 2019 saw continued trade uncertainty, with the United States (US) taking an aggressive stance on trade with China by imposing significant tariffs on a multitude of products imported into the US.
In 2020, the elephant in the room is climate change and its impact on our food systems. More specifically, Canadian food systems will be affected by changing weather patterns including droughts and forest fires, heavy precipitation, reduced freshwater access and rising sea levels.
Climate models suggest that Canada’s agricultural regions will subsequently feel the impacts of a drier summer season and increased spring and winter precipitation.
Canadian farmers will face challenges in the future dealing with unpredictable crop yields, heat-wave livestock threats, pasture availability and pest and disease outbreaks.
Models also suggest that, if managed properly, climate change could help Canada improve soil health by enhancing carbon sequestration processes and reducing emissions of greenhouse gases.
