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Milk prices rise over 5% across Canada, new report finds

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The cost of milk is rising nationwide, with new research showing sharp increases across Canadian provinces.

In March 2026, Field Agent Canada conducted price audits of 185 stores from coast-to-coast found that average milk prices have jumped by 5.5 percent since June 2024. Researchers say these increases are being driven by inefficiencies within Atlantic Canada’s dairy industry, leaving consumers paying more than necessary.

In Atlantic Canada, prices are among the steepest.

In March, gas stations were charging almost $10 for a 4L jug of 2% milk in Halifax and about $9 in Moncton. Prices in Moncton averaged around $2.17/L, which is much higher than the national average of $1.77, while Charlottetown, P.E.I. topped the list at $2.31.

Elsewhere, Ontario’s average sits slightly below the national level at $1.65/L, though some gas stations are charging up to $8 for a 4L. Major grocers such as Costco are only marginally cheaper.

The least expensive city to buy 4L of milk in Canada is a tie between London, ON and Regina, SK with an average cost of $1.60/L on 2% milk, or $6.40 for a 4L.

In the report, Jeff Doucette, General Manager of Field Agent Canada, suggests that creating a single national milk market could improve efficiency and help stabilize prices for both farmers and consumers.

For more information about the Canadian Milk Report, visit the Field Agent Canada website.

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Food price increases in New Brunswick biggest in Canada

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Grocery prices are on the rise across Canada, with New Brunswick leading the way on a list no one wants to top.

An analysis by Dollarwise looked at data from Statistics Canada’s Consumer Price Index reports for May 2025 and compared year-over-year price changes from May 2024 to May 2025 for food products in all provinces.

In that period, food prices increased 3.4 per cent nationally.

But the news is worse in New Brunswick, where prices went up 3.7 per cent.

Ontario followed close behind, with a 3.6-per-cent increase.

Some of the increases were below the national rate, though.

Nova Scotia showed the smallest increase over that period, just 2.7 per cent.

“Many Canadian families already struggle to make ends meet and these food price hikes make things worse,” said Dollarwise CEO Jack Prenter in a release.

The report also looks at price increases and decreases on particular foods.

Fresh or frozen beef led nationwide increases at 12.7 per cent (up $2.12 per kilogram for ground beef) in a year. Oranges cost 15.8 per cent (up 88 cents) more.

“Beef prices have risen so dramatically it’s truly alarming,” Prenter said. “Depending on which province you live in, you’re paying six per cent and 24 per cent more for this protein source than you did a year ago.”

One bright spot was for some fruits and vegetables. Tomato prices dropped 9.7 per cent (down 17 cents per kilogram and cucumber prices were down 10.1 per cent (five cents) during the period studied.

A closer look at monthly data showed some significant price fluctuations for certain foods.

For example, grape prices went up 21.4 per cent ($2.19) from April to May 2025, while berry prices dropped 8.6 per cent.

The worst category increases affected anyone who enjoys a hot cup of coffee in the morning. Prices for roasted or ground coffee were up 20 per cent (72 cents) across the country.

“Not all food categories face the same increases,” Prenter said. “Families should look at shifting their shopping habits toward items with more stable prices to better manage their food budgets.”

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Gas prices help cool inflation in October; StatsCan

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Inflation was down slightly in October.

StatsCan says it was at 2.2 percent year-over-year, that’s down two-tenths of a percentage from September.

The drop was mostly due to gas prices, which fell at a faster pace compared to the previous month. (9.4 percent)

Without gas, the rate would have stayed the same as September.

StatsCan says that slower growth in grocery prices contributed, but was moderated by higher prices for cellphone plans.

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Groceries drive inflation up; StatsCan

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Inflation was up in September.

StatsCan says the Consumer Price Index rose 2.4 percent year-over-year in September.

That’s up from a 1.9 percent increase in August.

Prices at the grocery store were a key factor, with people paying four percent more for food compared to last year.

There was an increase in the price of fresh vegetables, as well as beef and coffee due to lower supply.

Gas prices did fall four percent, but they’re up nearly 2 percent compared to last month.

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Some Canadians changing shopping habits amid high grocery prices

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You’re not the only one heading to the dollar store to fill up your grocery cart.

Food Professor Sylvain Charlebois, senior director of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University, tells our newsroom some of us have been heading to discount stores to offset high grocery prices.

He calls it “trading down.”

“A recent report from NielsenIQ suggests food sales at dollar stores are up 17 percent since March,” Charlebois says. “You can see that people are changing address. They’re looking at deals much more aggressively.”

Charlebois adds we’re also trading down in terms of brands with private labels gaining popularity. He believes if you want to dodge the food inflation bullet, that’s not a bad thing to do.

Meantime, you might be on to something if you’ve noticed your restaurant bill is cheaper than your grocery order.

Charlebois says restaurants have been offering us a treat when it comes to food prices. Over the last six months, menu prices have climbed at a slower pace than food at grocery stores.

“There’s more competition and restauranteurs want our business back as much as possible,” Charlebois says. “So, there is that fight going on in favour of consumers.”

Charlebois believes there may also be “a light at the end of the food inflation tunnel.” He says the latest stats show the food inflation rate has peaked in Canada.

Statistics Canada reported last week the country’s annual inflation rate climbed to 8.1 per cent in June. The cost of food is up 8.8 per cent compared with a year ago. The food inflation rate might be outpacing the general rate, but it’s not as much of a climb as reported in April and May.

Charlebois says that means the food industry has likely caught up with supply chain issues. Generally speaking, he believes the situation is under control, with the exception of dairy.

The food professor says you can expect to see better deals in grocery stores.

“It doesn’t mean that food prices are dropping any time soon, it’s just things are much more under control,” Charlebois explains. “You may see more promotions. If you go to discount grocery stores you’ll actually see a difference in terms of prices”

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Inflation Rate Hits 8.1% In June

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Canada’s inflation rate skyrocketed to a nearly 40-year high of 8.1 per cent in June.

Statistics Canada says that is an increase from the 7.7 per cent gain recorded a month earlier.

“The acceleration in June was mainly due to higher prices for gasoline,” the agency said Wednesday.

Figures show consumers paid 54.6 per cent more for gasoline in June compared to the same time last year.

On a month-over-month basis, prices at the pump rose 6.2 per cent in June, following a 12 per cent increase in May.

“Gas prices largely followed crude oil prices, which peaked in the first week of June with higher global demand amid the easing of COVID-19 public health restrictions in China, the largest importer of crude oil,” said Statistics Canada.

“Crude oil prices eased in the remaining weeks of June amid slowing demand worldwide related to concerns of a global economic slowdown.”

Passenger vehicle prices rose by 8.2 per cent as demand continued to outpace supply due to the ongoing semi-conductor shortage.

On a monthly basis, prices rose 1.5 per cent in June, compared to 0.1 per cent in May, due in part to the higher availability of new model-year vehicles.

Food prices were up by 8.8 per cent in June, similar to the year-over-year increase recorded in May.

Higher demand for travel-related services has been seen with the eased public health measures and increased tourism.

Prices for accommodation across the country rose by nearly 50 per cent compared to this time last year.

“The return of sporting events, festivals and other large in-person gatherings has resulted in higher demand for accommodation, particularly in major urban centres,” said the report.

Prices for air transportation rose 6.4 per cent month over month in June, following a 0.8 per cent decline in May.

Air travel has continued to increase amid loosening COVID-19 public health restrictions, with pent-up demand heading into the summer travel season putting upward pressure on prices,” said Statistics Canada.

Overview by province:

  • Prince Edward Island – 10.9%
  • Manitoba – 9.4%
  • Nova Scotia – 9.3%
  • New Brunswick – 9.1%
  • Alberta – 8.4%
  • Newfoundland and Labrador – 8.2%
  • Saskatchewan – 8.1%
  • Quebec – 8.0%
  • British Columbia – 8.9%
  • Ontario – 7.9%

More details are available by clicking here.

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Inflation Reaches 7.7% In May

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Canada’s inflation rate skyrocketed to a nearly 40-year high of 7.7 per cent during the month of May.

Statistics Canada says that is up from the 6.8 per cent gain recorded just one month earlier in April.

“Price pressures continued to be broad-based, pinching the pocketbooks of Canadians and in some cases affecting their ability to meet day-to-day expenses,” the agency said in a news release on Wednesday.

According to StatCan, the acceleration was largely due to higher gas prices, which were up by 12 per cent month over month and 48 per cent year over year.

High crude oil prices also resulted in higher prices for fuel oil and other fuels, which increased by more than 95 per cent from a year earlier.

“Crude oil prices rose in May as a result of supply uncertainty amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as well as higher demand as travel continued to grow in response to eased COVID-19 restrictions,” said StatCan.

Grocery prices rose by 9.7 per cent in May, matching gains that were recorded in April. Edible fats and oils recorded its largest increase on record at 30 per cent, mainly driven by higher prices for cooking oils.

Fresh vegetable prices increased 10.3 per cent in May, following an 8.2 per cent gain in April. Meat prices increased at a slower pace, climbing by nine per cent year over year in May compared with 10.1 per cent in April.

Shelter costs rose by 7.4 per cent year over year in May, matching the increase that was recorded in April.

Higher prices for services, such as hotels and restaurants, also contributed to the increase, climbing by 5.2 per cent year over year in May, following a 4.6 per cent gain in April.

Regional breakdown

Seven of 10 provinces saw their inflation rate climb at a faster rate than the national average, including all four Atlantic provinces.

Prince Edward Island led the way at 11.1 per cent, followed by New Brunswick and Nova Scotia at 8.8 per cent, and Manitoba at 8.7 per cent.

That was followed by British Columbia (8.1 per cent), Newfoundland and Labrador (8.0 per cent), Ontario (7.8 per cent), Quebec (7.5 per cent), Alberta (7.1 per cent), and Saskatchewan (7.0 per cent).

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Inflation Hits Three-Decade High Of 6.8%

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Canada’s inflation rate hit a new three-decade high of 6.8 per cent in April, up slightly from 6.7 per cent recorded a month earlier.

Statistics Canada said Wednesday that the year-over-year increase was largely driven by food and shelter prices.

“Gas prices increased at a slower pace in April compared with March, moderating the acceleration of the all-items Consumer Price Index (CPI) in April,” the agency said.

The price of groceries climbed by 9.7 per cent in April, the largest year-over-year increase since September 1981.

Basics, such as fresh fruit, fresh vegetables and meat, were all more expensive in April compared with a year earlier.

Prices for starchy foods such as bread, pasta, rice and cereal products also increased, along with the price of your cup of coffee.

Statistics Canada said the recent period of higher food prices has happened as numerous events continue to fuel higher prices.

“With both countries being major wheat exporters, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in late February put upward price pressure on food products that use wheat. Poor weather in growing regions has also impacted prices for food,” said the agency.

“Additionally, higher prices for inputs such as fertilizer and natural gas continued to increase the cost of production for farmers, who have passed some of these costs on to consumers.”

Shelter costs rose by 7.4 per cent year over year in April, the fastest pace since June 1983.

Higher prices for energy sources used to heat homes, such as natural gas and fuel oil and other fuels, contributed to the increase.

Gasoline prices were up by 36.3 per cent year over year in April, but fell slightly on a month-to-month basis compared to March.

From a province-to-province comparison, Prince Edward Island saw the highest inflation rate at 8.9 per cent, followed by New Brunswick (7.6 per cent), Manitoba (7.5 per cent), Nova Scotia, (7.1 per cent) and Ontario (6.9 per cent).

Quebec (6.8 per cent), British Columbia (6.7 per cent), Newfoundland and Labrador (6.6 per cent), Alberta (6.3 per cent) and Saskatchewan (5.9 per cent) all saw their inflation rates fall below the national average.

You can find the latest inflation report from Statistics Canada by clicking here.

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Inflation Rate Hits 31-Year High

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Canada’s inflation rate reached a new 31-year high of 6.7 per cent in March.

That is a full percentage point higher than the 5.7 per cent gain we saw in February.

Statistics Canada said it was the fastest year-over-year increase since January 1991.

“Inflationary pressure remained widespread in March, as prices rose across all eight major components,” the agency said in its monthly report.

“Prices increased against the backdrop of sustained price pressure in Canadian housing markets, substantial supply constraints and geopolitical conflict, which has affected energy, commodity, and agriculture markets.

Gasoline prices rose 39.8 per cent while prices for fuel oil and other fuels rose 61 per cent.

Shoppers paid nearly nine per cent more for food purchased from stores — the largest year-over-year increase since March 2009.

Prices for dairy products and eggs rose 8.5 per cent, while prices for pasta products were up 17.8 per cent.

Consumers also saw a 7.3 per cent jump in prices for durable goods — the biggest increase in 40 years — led by passenger vehicles and furniture.

Broken down by province, Prince Edward Island saw the biggest increase in inflation at 8.9 per cent, followed by New Brunswick and Manitoba (7.4 per cent), Ontario (seven per cent) and Nova Scotia (6.8 per cent).

You can find the full report online by clicking here.

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Inflation Hits 5.7% In February

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Canada’s inflation rate jumped to 5.7 per cent in February, up from 5.1 per cent a month earlier.

Statistics Canada announced Wednesday that it was the largest gain recorded in more than 30 years.

“Price increases were broad-based in February, pinching the pocketbooks of Canadians,” the agency said in its report.

Motorists paid 32.3 per cent more at the fuel pumps compared to the same time last year.

It comes amid geopolitical conflict in Eastern Europe and the Middle East as uncertainty surrounding global oil supply put upward pressure on prices.

Grocery prices rose by 7.4 per cent, the largest yearly increase recorded since 2009.

“Higher input prices and heightened transportation costs continued to contribute inflationary pressure in February,” said Statistics Canada.

Shelter costs also rose in February at their fastest pace since 1983, climbing by 6.6 per cent.

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