Worth improve untenable for eating places, shoppers
26 January 2024
3 minute learn
In a current press launch, Eating places Canada strongly urged the British Columbia authorities to intervene and defend eating places and shoppers from the BC Hen Advertising and marketing Board’s proposed improve price of hen. If accepted, this improve will elevate hen costs by a median of 10% for shoppers. The price of hen in British Columbia is already, on common, the very best in Canada.
Competitively priced BC hen is integral to the foodservice business’s success. As essentially the most consumed meat protein within the province, in addition to being a wholesome and versatile menu merchandise, a dramatic improve in its price will place undue burden on eating places, each giant and small. This proposed improve has the potential to hurt not solely the colourful eating expertise communities throughout the province cherish however shoppers as nicely.
At a time when greater than half (53%) of eating places are working at a loss or barely breaking even (in comparison with simply 12% pre-pandemic), any improve in the price of components will put hundreds of already struggling native companies in jeopardy.
Affordability is a significant concern for British Columbians. A major hen worth improve will solely add to the affordability disaster for shoppers who’ve seen their prices rise and disposable revenue lower because the pandemic. December’s Canada Meals Worth Report concluded that meals costs in Canada elevated by 5-7% in 2023, and predict meals costs would improve an extra 2.5-4.5% in 2024.
Eating places Canada has made a number of makes an attempt to current our considerations previous to a worth improve choice being made. This included a letter writing marketing campaign to the BC Farm Trade Evaluate Board (BCFIRB), supported by the Canadian Federation of Grocers and Canadian Poultry & Egg Processors. Now we have additionally made our considerations identified to the Minister of Agriculture and Premier’s workplace. Our considerations should not solely being dismissed, however they’re additionally not even being heard or thought-about. Eating places, resorts, and establishments account for 40% of all hen consumed by Canadians. Hen can be one of the vital well-liked gadgets, included on 80% of restaurant menus in Canada, based on Technomic Menu Canada.
“The complete course of is flawed. Not permitting shoppers such because the foodservice business and the general public to have a say when meals costs are at all-time excessive is unconscionable,” stated Mark von Schellwitz, vp, Western Canada, Eating places Canada. “Now we have been shut out; subsequently, we’re calling on the BC authorities to guard companies and the general public from the proposed dramatic improve in hen costs. Authorities saying it’s an impartial board with no shopper voice is just not ok for the residents of our province.”
If this proposed improve goes forward, eating places and the general public can be hit with one other important price improve they can not afford.
