Inflation rate update: Fruit, coffee and car insurance see increases

Inflation data reveals what cost more in Canada in 2025. (Pexels/Vlada Karpovich)

Inflation data from February shows the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased 2.6 per cent since the same time last year, Statistics Canada said on Tuesday.

The inflation growth in February can be partially attributed to the end of a brief break from the goods and services/harmonized sales taxes (GST/HST), StatCan said. The numbers reported by StatCan do not reflect the changes in prices due to the ongoing tariff situation between Canada and the U.S., the agency said.

The CPI rose 1.1 per cent between January and February, the data showed. January’s CPI increase was 1.9 per cent over that of January 2024.

Inflation on some items sold in Canada shot up in February, while it stayed the same or dipped on other goods.

Mortgage, rent, travel and gas prices

Inflation on mortgages went up by nine per cent in February 2025 compared to the same month last year, while rent inflation increased by 5.8 per cent.

There was an 18.8 per cent increase in travel tours costs since last year, StatCan said, and the prices were up last month 23.3 per cent compared to what travellers paid in January. StatCan attributed this to increased demand in the U.S. around the February long weekend.

Inflation on car insurance costs was up 7.5 per cent, and while inflation on gas rose in February, it was less of an increase than seen the previous month.

Air travel, restaurants and phone service prices

Inflation on air travel costs dropped by 4.4 per cent on a year-over-year basis, and the inflation on restaurant food prices dipped by 1.4 per cent, the data shows.

Inflation on the costs for digital devices and computing equipment was down 8.3 per cent, according to StatCan, while telephone service prices were lower than last year.

Toys, games and hobby supplies saw a 4.8 per cent inflation dip compared to February last year, the data shows.

Alcohol and household appliances

Consumers saw a 2.1 per cent inflation increase on alcohol since the beginning of this year, according to the data, and the CPI noted a 1.4 per cent decrease year-over-year.

Inflation on the prices of household appliances was 4.1 per cent higher than in January.

Data shows child care and housekeeping inflation was 3.5 per cent less in February than January.

Other grocery prices have changed

Inflation on the price of fresh vegetables dropped only by 1.7 per cent in a month.

Fresh or frozen meat inflation increased by nine per cent from last year.

Data shows that inflation on the cost of fresh milk was 4.7 per cent more this year than in 2024, while cheese saw an increase of 5.1 per cent in the same period.

Another noteworthy change was in the breakfast cereal prices, which saw an inflation rate up 7.5 per cent from a year.

Pasta products shot up, with an inflation rate of 7.1 per cent compared to last year, the data shows.

Among fruits, the price of oranges rose at a rate of 10.7 per cent over 2024. Overall, fresh fruit costs more this year, with an inflation rate currently at 13.2 per cent.

Tomato prices dipped, with StatCan noting an inflation rate decrease of 8.2 per cent, while inflation on lettuce rose seven per cent when compared to February 2024.

Inflation on the cost of roasted or ground coffee was 9.5 per cent higher this February, the data shows.

Inflation slowed on baby food last month, with a noted decrease of 9.2 per cent.