Canada's annual inflation rate rose 2.4 per cent in September, as gas and travel tour prices fell at a slower pace and grocery prices rose, Statistics Canada said Tuesday.

Economists were expecting the headline number to reach 2.2 per cent. When excluding gas, the annual inflation rate increased 2.6 per cent, the data agency said.

Shoppers paid four per cent more at the grocery store in September compared to the same period last year, largely driven by pricier fresh vegetables and sugar and confectionary.

Grocery inflation has generally trended upward since April, Statistics Canada said.

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