The amount of fresh fruit available on store shelves across the country fell by more than five per cent between 2021 and 2022.

And Statistics Canada says ongoing supply chain issues, labour shortages and price increases also led to a nearly six per cent drop in the availability of fresh vegetables, except for potatoes.

Even though some Canadian food industry sectors experienced record production in 2022, producers exported more food internationally than the previous year.

The amount of milk available to Canadians also decreased by nearly four per cent, while red meat and poultry availability both increased.

(Canadian Press)