Why are Toronto grocery stores selling some chicken breasts for nearly $27/kg?
A line of unusually priced chicken breast has left some Toronto shoppers and thousands of internet users scratching their heads.
CTV News Toronto Queen's Park correspondent Siobhan Morris tweeted a photo of the five-pack of poultry, being sold at a Toronto Loblaws for nearly $27/kg, on Tuesday, drawing the attention of many to the high price.
The tweet has amassed nearly 2.3 million views at the time of publication.
Other Twitter users were quick to join in, with some calling it “price-gouging,” and others wondering if inflation was to blame.
Member of Parliament for Don Valley East, Michael Coteau, called the price “unacceptable.”
When reached for a statement on the price, Loblaws confirmed that the chicken was priced correctly, highlighting the product was a club pack of President’s Choice Free From Chicken, a line of poultry considered to be “premium.” The "PC FF" on the label indicates its premium quality, the company said.
“The price per kilo is in line with, if not cheaper than, competitor pricing for similar premium products. Beyond the Free From line, we offer customers a variety of quality poultry at various price points,” the statement reads.
The grocer also pointed to inflation as reasoning for the steep cost.
“In addition to general inflationary pressures, as I’m sure you are aware, the price of poultry has increased over the last year or so across North America for a number of reasons including demand and disease.”
Similar premium chicken breasts were being sold for $28/kg at a Toronto Sobeys this week.
CANADIANS WILL PAY MORE FOR FOOD IN 2023: REPORT
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, the 13th edition of Canada's Food Price Report predicts.
For a family of four, the total annual grocery bill is expected to be $16,288 -- $1,065 more than it was this year, the report said. A single woman in her 40s -- the average age in Canada -- will pay about $3,740 for groceries next year, while a single man the same age would pay $4,168, according to the report and Statistics Canada.
Multiple factors could influence food prices next year, including climate change, geopolitical conflicts, rising energy costs and the lingering effects of COVID-19, the report said.
Amid the ongoing rising cost of groceries, Loblaws reported in November its third-quarter profits rose about 30 per cent year-over-year.
The grocery and drugstore retailer said its net earnings available to common shareholders totalled $556 million for the quarter ending on Oct. 8, up from $431 million in the same quarter last year.
With files from The Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Solar storm puts on brilliant light show across the globe, but no serious problems reported
A powerful solar storm put on an amazing skyward light show across the globe overnight but has caused what appeared to be only minor disruptions to the electric power grid, communications and satellite positioning systems.
'It was violent': Police tear down U of A pro-Palestinian encampment Saturday morning
Multiple people at the protest camp torn down at the University of Alberta campus Saturday say police's actions against protesters were "violent" and "disproportionate."
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
'My family doctor just fired me': Ontario patients frustrated with de-rostering
Dozens of Ontarians are expressing frustration in the province’s health-care system after their family doctors either dropped them as patients or threatened to after they sought urgent care elsewhere.
Potentially toxic chemicals hide in our drinking water and countless household objects, and they're not going anywhere
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
Suspect sought after fatal slashing in downtown Toronto
Police are searching for a suspect in a homicide investigation after a man was slashed in downtown Toronto on Sunday.
Canada Post cracks down on Nunavut loophole to get free Amazon Prime shipping
Amazon's paid subscription service provides free delivery for online shopping across Canada except for remote locations, the company said in an email. While customers in Iqaluit qualify for the offer, all other communities in Nunavut are excluded.
'Increased fire activity' expected for Fort Nelson, B.C., blaze
A wildfire near Fort Nelson, B.C., that forced thousands to flee their homes grew almost 800 hectares overnight Saturday, according to officials.
Blinken delivers some of the strongest U.S. public criticism of Israel's conduct of the war in Gaza
Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday delivered some of the Biden administration's strongest public criticism yet of Israel's conduct of the war in Gaza, saying Israeli tactics have meant "a horrible loss of life of innocent civilians" but failed to neutralize Hamas leaders and fighters and could drive a lasting insurgency.