If you were hoping to get a break from food inflation in the new year, it won’t happen anytime soon.

The 13th edition of Canada’s Food Price Report released today (mon), says for a family of four, the total annual grocery bill is expected to be $16,288 which is $1,065 more than it was this year.

Food prices in Canada will continue to escalate in the new year, with grocery costs forecast to rise up to seven per cent in 2023 with the most substantial increases in vegetables, dairy, and meat.

Canada’s Food Price Report is an annual collaboration between research partners Dalhousie University, the University of Guelph, the University of Saskatchewan, and the University of British Columbia.

Dr. Stuart Smyth at the University of Saskatchewan says international events continue to affect food prices at home.

“The uncertainty from the ongoing Ukraine war shows no signs of ceasing and the Canadian dollar compared to the US dollar has recently ranged five to seven cents lower and this has driven up the cost of all imported American products.”

He says labour shortages in key sectors, such as crop harvesting, food processing, and transportation lower supply and drive-up prices.