The cost of eggs rose the most at 15.8%, while coffee and tea came in second with a 13.8% increase. Statistics Canada said baked goods rose at a faster pace of 13.6% year-over-year as higher input costs and supply uncertainty related to Russia’s aggression in Ukraine pushed wheat prices higher. Here are the other food-related price changes for July:

Non-alcoholic beverages increased by 9.5%. Sugar and confectionery gained 9.7%. Canned fruit and fruit preparations rose 10.4%. Fresh fruit increased by 11.7%.

SALES AT A GROCERY STORE?

Despite continued increases in food costs, Sylvain Charlebois, senior director at the Agri-Food Analytics Lab with Dalhousie University, said these numbers are reassuring as food-related inflation continues to decline from its peak in May .

He added that lower overall volatility in the Canadian economy could result in grocers running more discount offers. “Less volatility will allow grocers to better plan for more aggressive discounting,” Charlebois said by email Tuesday. “We expect more promotions and losses, things we haven’t seen much of since March 2020.” Charlebois said he expected sectors such as dairy and baked goods to “remain problematic for consumers on a budget” and “to drive food inflation for a while.”

Melissa Leong, personal finance expert and author of “Happy Go Money,” said these added costs will really take a toll on Canadians already struggling with higher inflation. “Canadians are already so stretched thin, with many reporting living paycheck to paycheck and already adjusting their spending. they will really feel any increase in costs,” Leong said by email. He added that Canadians should “look for any items that you can cut, even temporarily, like subscriptions,” in order to move that cash to immediate needs like bills and paying down debt. “Be extra careful with your spending and have a strategy for groceries and meal planning,” Leong said. “Use gift cards, rewards points, coupons, price matches. check to see if you’re owed uncashed checks from Canada Revenue Agency or if you’re owed money by checking the Unclaimed Bank Balance Register.”

INFLATION DECLINES AS GAS PRICES FALL

Statistics Canada said the consumer price index rose 7.6% year-on-year in July, which was in line with economists’ estimates. Inflation eased from a gain of 8.1% in June, which was the highest annual level since January 1983.