But overall inflation dipped to 5.9 per cent which is better than most economists’ predictions of 6.2 per cent.
Fresh and frozen chicken was especially pricey, rising nine per cent from December — an increase that Statistics Canada attributed to seasonal demand, supply issues and the impacts of highly-pathogenic avian influenza that has prompted scores of entire-flock euthanasia and quarantine zones, especially in the lower Fraser Valley area of British Columbia.
The cost of dining out also rose at a faster pace as fast food and takeout became more expensive.
