Summer’s here, and with it comes the cherished tradition of firing up the barbecue. But this year, a trip to the meat counter is delivering a sizzling surprise – shockingly high prices. The meat aisle has become a stark lesson in supply and demand, leaving many Canadians wondering how we got here.

Statistics Canada paints a grim picture. Since January, beef prices have skyrocketed. Prepare for sticker shock: striploin is up a whopping 34.2 percent, top sirloin 33.7 percent, and rib cuts almost 12 percent! Even pork ribs and chicken breasts aren’t immune, rising 5.9 percent each, while even meatless alternatives have jumped 6.8 percent.

Beef, however, is the undeniable price leader, with virtually every cut experiencing a dramatic increase. This is particularly concerning, adding further strain to Canadian households already struggling with escalating food costs. What’s driving this meaty inflation? The reasons are complex and multifaceted, a topic we’ll delve deeper into in future posts.