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.
Chicken breasts priced at $28/kg at a Toronto Sobeys can be seen above. (CTV Toronto)
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
NEW Toxic forever chemicals in drinking water: Is Canada doing enough?
As the United States sets its first national limits on toxic forever chemicals in drinking water, researchers say Canada is lagging when it comes to regulations.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
How to avoid the trap of becoming 'house poor'
The journey to home ownership can be exciting, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew warns about the trappings of becoming 'house poor' -- where an overwhelming portion of your income is devoured by housing costs. Liew offers some practical strategies to maintain better financial health while owning a home.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
Arrest made, manslaughter charge pending in 2022 death of Calgary toddler
Calgary police have arrested a man and a charge is pending in connection with the death of a toddler in 2022.
When new leaders took over in ancient Maya, they didn't just bury the former royals. They burned their bodies in public
New archeological investigations in Guatemala reveal that the ancient Maya people had a ritual of burning royal human remains as a public display of political regime change.
Where did the gold go? Crime expert weighs in on unfolding Pearson airport heist investigation
Almost 7,000 bars of pure gold were stolen from Pearson International Airport exactly one year ago during an elaborate heist, but so far only a tiny fraction of that stolen loot has been found.
Some customers steaming after McDonald's ends free hot drink sticker program
It took years for Vinnie Deluca to collect more than 400 cards worth of free McDonald's McCafe coffee, a collection that now has "zero value" after the company discontinued the program.
Prince William returns to public duties after wife Kate's cancer revelation
Prince William will return to public duties on Thursday for the first time since his wife Kate revealed she was undergoing preventative chemotherapy for cancer.