A new milk report has found prices in Canada increased by an average of 8.8 percent over the past year.
Field Agent Canada surveyed 20 cities and prices were highest in the Maritimes and the lowest in Ontario.
Charlottetown was the most expensive for four litres of milk at $8.64 which was a 10 percent jump year-over-year.
The price in Moncton was a lower at $8.12 and even lower in Halifax at $7.04.
The lowest milk prices were found in Ontario with the least expensive in Sudbury at $5.72 for four litres.
Meantime in the U.S., milk prices at Walmart in Houlton, Maine, have fallen year-over-year and now sit at roughly $3.92 USD or $5.36 CAD for 3.78 litres.
The survey also found that the gap between cow’s milk and milk alternatives such as soy and almond appears to be narrowing with almond actually cheaper than cow’s milk in some markets.
Key Highlights – Changes Since February 2022:
- Canadian milk prices increased in all 20 markets measured
- 4L Milk prices increased an average of 8.8% over the past year
- Comparative Prices at Walmart U.S. stores decreased 12% over the same period
- The gap between cow’s milk and milk alternatives (soy, almond, etc.) appears to be narrowing and in some markets Almond milk was cheaper than cow’s milk.
- Most expensive market for 4L milk was Charlottetown, PEI
- Least expensive market for 4L milk was Sudbury, ON
“It is very difficult to not recognize that Canada’s milk production is very inefficient when farm prices have increased twice in a little over a year all the while U.S. prices are falling by double digits at the same time,” noted Jeff Doucette, General Manager of Field Agent Canada.
“It appears that it is time that we stop protecting small, inefficient Canadian supply chains and start consolidation within the Canadian milk industry so Canadian families can continue to afford to put milk on the table.”