The price of fresh produce at the grocery store continues to climb, and according to Statistics Canada, some vegetables jumped by as much as 45 per cent last month.

Compared to last year, the overall price of fruit rose 5.3 per cent in May – an increase largely driven by the cost of berries and grapes.

The cost of vegetables also went up for the second straight month, rising by nine per cent in May following a four per cent jump in April.

Tomatoes saw the biggest spike, surging by 45 per cent. The agency points to poor weather in Mexico and U.S. tariffs as the main factors.

Shoppers also saw significant price hikes for broccoli, cauliflower, and lettuce.

Overall, the cost of groceries increased 4.3 per cent year-over-year in May, marking the 16th consecutive month that food costs have outpaced general inflation.