We recently learned that Frito-Lay, a brand owned by giant PepsiCo Canada, opted to stop selling to Loblaws after the retailer refused requests by Frito-Lay to increase their prices. Food manufacturers, when selling products to grocers, have suggested retail prices. With low profit margins, labour shortages, packaging issues and supply chain woes, inflation has been
Comment: War on potato chips just the tip of the iceberg
This is all about the balance of power in the grocery retailing system
Comment: Invoking the Emergencies Act also about Canada’s reputation
When so much of our economy crosses the border disruptions are poison
In recent days, many Canadians watched in disbelief when protesters easily blocked many access points between the United States and Canada. For six painful days, this included the Ambassador Bridge, a key trade conduit between the two countries, forcing trucks to be rerouted towards Sarnia. Other border crossings were disrupted in Manitoba and Alberta. Many
Comment: Canada’s white gold
Milk prices are anything but transparent under the current system
It goes without saying that milk and cream are important foodstuffs in our diet. Cheese, yogurt, and butter; these products are cherished by many people and will force average households to spend between 10 and 15 per cent of their food budget on them. Our love for dairy products will be put to the test
Comment: Beware of ‘shelflation’
Compromised supply chains are increasing waste and costs
By now, you may have heard of a phenomenon called shrinkflation. Many companies will reduce quantities without changing the price by adjusting their packaging strategy. It’s been going on for years. It is the illusion of buying the same amount of product when it has in fact shrunk. But when supply chains aren’t working optimally,
Comment: Grocery store shelves are all right
Supply chains are stressed and Omicron isn’t helping, but you’ll still eat
In many parts of the country, Canadians are now reporting a growing number of empty grocery store shelves. It’s happening here, in the United States, and in many other parts of the industrialized world; it’s not just a Canadian phenomenon. Before Omicron, empty shelves were already visible, but few noticed. They were sporadic in the
Comment: Manufacturing human organs… with farm animals
Animal production could someday be saving human lives
In an unprecedented surgery, a 57-year-old American with serious heart disease had a heart transplant with a genetically modified pig’s heart. The operation took place on January 7. A few weeks later, the patient is still doing well, reports suggest. This surgery, a first in the world, performed by a team from the University of
Comment: Spooked Canadians at the grocery store have plans for 2022
Inflation is causing consumers to re-evaluate their food purchases
Since the year 2022 is here, it is time to reflect on what has happened this past year and anticipate what lies ahead. Food inflation obviously affected most food categories this year, which is why the last 12 months have been challenging for Canadians both at the grocery store and at restaurants. Canada’s Food Price
Comment: With gene editing, let’s not repeat the same mistakes
Consumers will reap many benefits from this new technology, but their needs should be respected
We have now heard that Health Canada is likely to treat gene-edited crops differently from genetically modified crops, or GMOs, which means the oversight provided by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency would look very much like the one we see for conventionally bred crops. This issue is obviously far removed from consumers but will certainly
Comment: Food prices are rising, but so is theft
With razor-thin margins retailers face steep losses through the front and back doors
Apparently, shoplifting has been on the rise in supermarkets in Canada in recent months. Concrete data on theft in grocery stores is harder to get since incidents are typically under-reported. Managers tend to take matters into their own hands. But with the increasing number of reports on theft and security guards stationed in and out
Comment: The new 8.4 per cent milk
The Canadian Dairy Commission has a daily impact on most Canadians but operates with little oversight
Earlier this month the Canadian Dairy Commission announced that dairy farmers will get an unprecedented 8.4 per cent more for their milk, and more than 12 per cent for butter starting in February. It is the highest increase since the CDC was created in 1967. Provincial boards will need to approve these increases but that
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