Groceries are in high demand lately, despite experts reassuring Canadians that there are no issues in the supply chain — and Statistics Canada is now shedding some light on consumer purchasing patterns through the COVID-19 outbreak.

As you might expect, Statistics Canada found that toilet paper sales increased by 241 per cent during the second week of March compared to 2019 — but surprisingly, the humble paper product didn't steal the show.

Instead, hand sanitizer showed the greatest increase in demand, with sales shooting up by a whopping 639 per cent.

Wondering how the #retail landscape is changing during the #COVID19 pandemic? Read about it in our new study ➡ https://t.co/vEqGKJldRQ pic.twitter.com/BXT86fbW7i

— Statistics Canada (@StatCan_eng) April 8, 2020

Other groceries with large increases in sales include:

• masks and gloves (377 per cent)
• facial tissues (253 per cent)
• rice (239 per cent)
• personal wipes (231 per cent)
• cold remedies (226 per cent)
• pasta (205 per cent)
• paper towels (187 per cent)
• canned vegetables (180 per cent)
• flour (179 per cent)
• canned fish, meat and seafood (169 per cent)
• soap (166 per cent)
• household cleaners (164 per cent)
• canned soup (158 per cent)
• pasta sauces (157 per cent)

Surprisingly, fresh beef, vegetables and fruit also showed a growth in demand, presumably with Canadians planning to freeze the produce in case of prolonged isolation.

Overall, grocery sales increased by 46 per cent in the second week of March compared to the same time last year.

The takeaway? Let's stop hoarding toilet paper and hand sanitizer, Canada. It's not a good look for us.