Seven bucks for a pound of broccoli? Study says it’s possible in the coming years

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VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – Would you find it more difficult to eat healthy if broccoli cost $7 a pound or lettuce cost $5 a head?

Food prices in this province could take a huge hit in the coming years because of the worsening drought in California. That’s coming from new research that predicts a spike in the cost of some basic staples.

The last 2.5 years have been the driest on record in the Golden State and a food prices study from VanCity finds if the trend continues, it’s very possible for us to be paying near-double digit prices for produce in as soon as five years.

The study was carried out by Brent Mansfield with the BC Food System Network, who says prices for other foods — like berries, cantaloupe, garlic, and nuts — could also go up.

“We [have become] so reliant in the last 20 years, especially on California for many of our staples — especially fruits and vegetables. At the same time, we’ve seen a decline in our own production, leaving us vulnerable to price volatility and spikes,” he tells us.

“Over five years, if this drought continues in California and elsewhere, prices of 25 to 50 per cent higher on key staple fruits and vegetables is quite conceivable,” he adds.

He says this could all be countered if BC was able to increase agricultural production.

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