| | The retail food price index is derived by weighting the individual food items within the retail food basket by the relative importance of each item in the total food-at-home budget. The index is then measured against the base year of January 1988, to determine change.
For the two-year period covering January 2000 to December 2001, the retail food price index for Edmonton rose 17.0 index points or 13.5 per cent. Most of this increase occurred in 2001, posting an overall annual increase in the retail food basket of 10.8 index points or 8.2 per cent.
Beef prices
In general, retail beef prices trended upwards over the two-year period, peaking in July 2001 at $28.70, 40 per cent above the January 2000 level. Overall, retail beef prices rose 36 per cent over the two-year period.
Pork and processed meats prices
Year over year monthly comparisons show retail prices for pork and processed meats were much higher in 2001 than in 2000, due to stronger producer prices. In general, prices trended upwards over the two- year period, increasing 20 per cent from January 2000 to December 2001. Retail prices peaked in July 2001, posting an average monthly price of $16.77, 22 per cent above the January 2000 level.
Dairy prices
The dairy category is comprised of milk, butter, cheddar cheese, processed cheese and ice cream. Retail prices for dairy fluctuated over the two-year period. This was due to featuring or sale pricing of one or more of the food items that make up the dairy category. Overall, retail dairy prices rose less than 1 per cent from January 2000 to December 2001.
Poultry & egg prices
Retail prices for poultry and eggs increased by 10 percent over the two-year period, from $4.80 in January 2000 to $5.30 in December 2001. Prices peaked in January 2001 at $5.69, 19 percent above the January 2000 level.
Fresh fruit prices
In general, fresh fruit prices trended upwards, ending the two-year period 48 per cent higher than in January 2000. Most of the increase, which can be attributed to higher prices for oranges and apples, occurred in 2001.
Fresh vegetable prices
Retail prices of fresh vegetables continued to show a cyclical trend of peaking in summer as supplies of local storable vegetables decline, and then trending downwards, as local vegetables are harvested. Overall, prices increased 37 per cent over the two-year period.
Bakery & cereal prices
The bakery and cereal product category is made up of bread, flour, pasta and breakfast cereal. Fluctuations in the monthly retail prices for bread and cereal products were a result of featuring or sale pricing of one or more of the food items that make up the category. Over the two-year period, prices ranged from a low of $12.02 in January 2000 to a high of $13.19 in December 2001. Overall, prices rose 17 per cent over the two-year period.
Fat, oil & shortening prices
In general, fat, oil and shortening retail prices showed a decline in the early part of each year, followed by a significant increase to the middle of the summer, then sliding to October, before rising to the end of the year. Retail prices for this category increased by 6 per cent over the two years.
Beverage prices
Retail beverage prices fluctuated in 2000 and 2001, ranging from an October 2000 low of $9.35, to a June 2001 high of $10.55, before ending the year at $9.78. Interestingly, the December 2001 price was less than 1 per cent higher than the January 2000 price.
Sugar and natural sweetener prices
The sugar and natural sweetener category is made up of sugar and honey. In general, retail prices for this category fluctuated from a low of $8.80 in September 2000, to highs of $9.97 and $9.99 in August 2000 and February 2001, respectively. Featuring and sale pricing of both food items resulted in the monthly price fluctuations that characterized this period. Overall, prices rose only 1 per cent over the two-year period.
Processed fruit and vegetable prices
The processed fruit and vegetable category is a diverse group consisting of apple juice, tomato juice, canned tomatoes, baked beans, soup, infant food and jam. Prices for this category generally trended upwards to end the two-year period 12 per cent higher than in January 2000. Fluctuations in the monthly retail prices were a result of featuring or sale pricing, mainly of apple juice.
For further information on retail food prices contact:
Statistics and Data Development Branch
Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development
302, 7000 - 113 Street
Edmonton, Alberta T6H 5T6
Phone: 780-427-4011
Fax: 780-427-5220 |
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