Consumers a major factor in food inflation Wednesday, May 18, 2011 by PAT CURRIEAfter crunching the number throughly, Kevin Grier, senior market analyst with a Guelph-based agriculture and agri-food think-tank, has concluded the connection between inflation and grocers’ profits is as flexible as a bungee cord."The basic message is that the consumer is going to decide whether inflation is good for grocer margins or not," Grier concluded in a study for the George Morris Centre.His paper, Inflation and Canadian Grocer Margins, released this week by the centre, showed wide variations between the general trends in the economy, wholesale and retail grocery prices and in profit margins at the retail level."There is no statistical relationship between the changes in the total Consumer Price Index (CPI) for all items and the CPI for food from stores," Grier reported.Grier notes that there are far too many factors at play that could result in weaker margins for grocers, not the least of which is consumer's trading down to lower priced items and discount stores.Consumers are still the major factor. High prices tend to drive consumers to seek cheaper products which drives down prices which in turn lures back customers who tend to spend more, driving prices back up again, Grier noted. BF Sparks fly over Huron County severance Ritz returns
Looking for a heritage machine Tuesday, February 10, 2026 A Brantford, Ontario area heritage organization—the Canadian Industrial Heritage Centre (CIHC)—is putting out a call to the Canadian agricultural community in hopes of locating a rare piece of machinery that helped transform grain harvesting around the world. The CIHC is preparing... Read this article online
Why farmers built their own renewable energy association Tuesday, February 10, 2026 When renewable energy developers come knocking on rural doors, farmers often find themselves staring at 40-page leases, unfamiliar terminology, and long-term commitments that could shape their land for decades. For many, the opportunity is exciting and enticing—but also... Read this article online
Food Freedom Day 2026 - What Canada’s Grocery Costs Really Tell Us Monday, February 9, 2026 The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) has announced that Sunday, February 8th, 2026, marked Food Freedom Day—the date by which the average Canadian household has earned enough income to cover its entire annual grocery bill. Each year, CFA analyzes how much of Canadians’... Read this article online
Canadian Grain and Pork Sectors Join Others in Sound Alarm Over AAFC Research Cuts Friday, February 6, 2026 The Grain Growers of Canada (CGC), the Canadian Pork Council (CPC), and Swine Innovation Porc (SIP) are expressing serious concern following recently announced staff reductions and facility closures or consolidations within Agriculture and Agri‑Food Canada (AAFC). The groups warn that... Read this article online
Red Tape Pushes 70% of Agri Businesses to Deter Next Generation from Farming Thursday, February 5, 2026 Canada’s food production system is under mounting pressure as agri-businesses warn that regulatory overload is discouraging the next generation from entering the industry. A new snapshot from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) reveals that almost 70% of agri... Read this article online