Food prices climbed during the second year of the pandemic -- and climate disasters contributed

Year-over-year food price inflation crept up past 5% in 2021 as drought, floods and hailstorms battered crops and slashed supplies.

Food inflation is the year-over-year increase in the value of all food items. In December, food inflation hit 5.2 per cent, according to Statistics Canada, up from around 1 per cent to start the year.

Across the world, food prices rose sharply in 2021, according to a report by the United Nations. The agency’s Food Price Index, which tracks monthly changes in international prices, showed a 28 per cent increase over 2020. Along with labour shortages and a global pandemic, volatile climatic conditions have been responsible for reduced production which is impacting agricultural food prices.

Production impacted by adverse weather conditions

“We live in a global food system,” says Sean Smukler, chair of agriculture and environment at the University of British Columbia. “I can't imagine that there are many places in the world where production in one location doesn't impact the price and availability of food in another location in the world.”