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