Monthly average retail prices for selected products, for Canada and provinces. Prices are presented for the current month and the previous four months. Prices are based on transaction data from Canadian retailers, and are presented in Canadian current dollars.

In 2021, the retail price of one liter of milk in Canada was on average 1.68 Canadian dollars, with some regional differences. For instance, in Quebec, one liter of milk cost 2.06 Canadian dollars on average, while it cost 1.56 Canadian dollars in Ontario.

Milk production in Canada

Canada featured among the leading producers of cow milk worldwide, with a production volume exceeding 10 million metric tons in 2021. Although this production volume pales in comparison to that of the EU-27 or the United States, Canada’s dairy farming industry is among the most important agricultural sectors in the country. Dairy farms in Canada were home to more than 990,000 milk cows in 2021. In addition to being the provinces with the largest number of milk cows in the country, Quebec and Ontario also produced the largest volume of milk in Canada in 2020, at around 33 million and 31 million hectoliters, respectively.

Milk consumption in Canada

Since 2004, consumption of milk per capita in Canada has been steadily declining, with a significant decrease of more than twenty liters per capita between 2004 and 2019. This can be attributed to the emergence of new consumption habits and the rise of non-dairy substitutes for milk such as soy milk, almond milk, coconut milk and others, which appeal primarily but not exclusively to people following plant-based diets. It was estimated that the milk substitute market in Canada would generate approximately 367 million U.S. dollars in revenues in 2022.

The average retail price for homogenized milk hit an all-time high with 6.53 Canadian dollars per four liters in February 2022 in Canada.

What is homogenized milk?

Homogenization is the process of breaking down the fat molecules within milk to ensure that they do not separate. This prevents the fat molecules rising to the top and creating a layer of cream, therefore creating a more consistent product with a longer shelf life. Homogenization generally occurs after pasteurization, which is a heating process to eliminate bacteria.

The Canadian milk market

The volume of milk produced in Canada has steadily risen year-on-year to reach approximately 93.24 million hectoliters in 2020. Quebec and Ontario are the provincial frontrunners in milk production, both producing over 30 million hectoliters in that year. Quebec and Ontario are also home to the largest number of certified organic milk producers in Canada.

This statistic shows the producer price of whole fresh milk in Canada from 2010 to 2020. In 2020, the average price received by farmers in Canada amounted to 764 Canadian dollars per metric ton of milk.

Powdered Milk Price in Canada - 2023. Find the latest marketing data on the IndexBox platform.

This statistic shows the average retail price for 4 liters of partly skimmed milk in Canada from January 2016 to February 2022. The retail price stayed fairly constant for most of 2021, at around 5.5 Canadian dollars, but jumped up to 5.9 Canadian dollars in February 2022.

Milk price of Nova Scotia climb by 2.82% from 908 dollars per kilolitre in 2024M9 to 934 dollars per kilolitre in 2024M10. Since the 1.99% decrease in 2024M7, milk price increased by 3.58% in 2024M10.

Canada Consumer Price Index (CPI): Food: PS: DP: Dairy Products: Fresh Milk data was reported at 181.400 2002=100 in Mar 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 180.200 2002=100 for Feb 2025. Canada Consumer Price Index (CPI): Food: PS: DP: Dairy Products: Fresh Milk data is updated monthly, averaging 74.000 2002=100 from Jan 1949 (Median) to Mar 2025, with 915 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 181.400 2002=100 in Mar 2025 and a record low of 10.900 2002=100 in Mar 1949. Canada Consumer Price Index (CPI): Food: PS: DP: Dairy Products: Fresh Milk data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics Canada. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Canada – Table CA.I002: Consumer Price Index: 2002=100.

In 2023, supplies from abroad of whole fresh milk decreased by -1.2% to 56K tons, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth.

This table contains 110 series, with data for years 1965 - 1975 (not all combinations necessarily have data for all years), and is no longer being released. This table contains data described by the following dimensions (Not all combinations are available): Geography (10 items: Canada;Prince Edward Island;Nova Scotia;New Brunswick; ...); Type of dairy product sold by farmers (11 items: Cream for butter, sold by farmers;Milk for butter;Milk for cheese;Milk for ice cream mix and concentration; ...).

Explore the diverse milk options and pricing strategies at Walmart Canada, from cow's milk to plant-based alternatives. Learn about regional variances, promotional discounts, and factors influencing milk prices, including government regulations and seasonal changes. Discover how Walmart's Great Value brand provides competitive pricing and how customers can take advantage of Rollback promotions and online grocery services for convenient shopping.

This statistic shows the average retail price for evaporated milk in Canada from January 2015 to February 2022. In February 2022, the average retail price for evaporated milk in Canada was 1.96 Canadian dollars per 385 milliliters.

Milk rose to 18.77 USD/CWT on June 27, 2025, up 0.11% from the previous day. Over the past month, Milk's price has risen 0.91%, but it is still 5.82% lower than a year ago, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks the benchmark market for this commodity. Milk - values, historical data, forecasts and news - updated on June of 2025.

Get the latest insights on price movement and trend analysis of Farmgate Milk in different regions across the world (Asia, Europe, North America, Latin America, and the Middle East Africa).

The data set provides official information from the Government of Canada pertaining to the imports of Dairy Products into Canada, subject to controls under Canada's Export and Import Permits Act (EIPA). Available reports provide data: on Tariff Rate Quota Table on Cream, Powdered Whey, Butter and Fats and Oils from Milk on a year-to-date basis (August 1st to July 31st); on Tariff Rate Quota Utilization for Dairy Products on a year-to-date basis (January 1st to December 31st); on Tariff Rate Quota Utilization for Milk Protein Substances on a year-to-date basis (April 1st to March 31st); and, on Tariff Rate Quota Utilization for Cheese on a year-to-date basis (January 1st to December 31st).

After three years of growth, the Canadian evaporated and condensed milk market decreased by -3.5% to $110M in 2024. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% over the period from 2012 to 2024; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Evaporated and condensed milk consumption peaked at $115M in 2023, and then contracted slightly in the following year.

Producers of dairy products benefit from the government's supply management system impacting the dairy industry. This system controls the production and price of raw milk, lowering input price volatility. However, this also prevents producers from manufacturing additional products to export, capping revenue and hindering profitability. Many dairy products, like butter, cheese and milk, are considered kitchen staples and are used as ingredients for many meals, resulting in steady demand for these products and protecting producers from drastic revenue losses. As a result, revenue has grown at an estimated CAGR of 2.1% to $21.5 billion over the past five years, including a 1.2% jump in 2024 alone. Changing consumer preferences have harmed milk sales, as buyers are increasingly opting for dairy-free alternatives, including soy-, oat- or other nut-based milk. This has also caused demand for cheese and yogurt to jump, making producers more profitable. Producers also benefit from multiple trade agreements, which enable them to export their products to foreign markets. While the supply management system has kept trade levels consistently low, free trade agreements have opened up more import space. As the industry grows, large producers will continue consolidating by acquiring smaller competitors, enabling them to expand their market share and product offerings. Over the coming years, demand for dairy products will continue expanding, although at a slower rate. Producers must focus on products that meet changing consumer preferences, like cheese and yogurt. Similarly, the country's participation in trade agreements will help boost international trade, creating more opportunities for domestic producers to penetrate global markets. However, given the constraints of the supply management system, these opportunities will be limited. These trends will expand revenue at an estimated CAGR of 1.1% to $22.7 billion over the next five years.

Mastitis imposes considerable and recurring economic losses on the dairy industry worldwide. The main objective of this study was to estimate herd-level costs incurred by expenditures and production losses associated with mastitis on Canadian dairy farms in 2015, based on producer reports. Previously, published mastitis economic frameworks were used to develop an economic model with the most important cost components. Components investigated were divided between clinical mastitis (CM), subclinical mastitis (SCM), and other costs components (i.e., preventive measures and product quality). A questionnaire was mailed to 374 dairy producers randomly selected from the (Canadian National Dairy Study 2015) to collect data on these costs components, and 145 dairy producers returned a completed questionnaire. For each herd, costs due to the different mastitis-related components were computed by applying the values reported by the dairy producer to the developed economic model. Then, for each herd, a proportion of the costs attributable to a specific component was computed by dividing absolute costs for this component by total herd mastitis-related costs. Median self-reported CM incidence was 19 cases/100 cow-year and mean self-reported bulk milk somatic cell count was 184,000 cells/mL. Most producers reported using post-milking teat disinfection (97%) and dry cow therapy (93%), and a substantial proportion of producers reported using pre-milking teat disinfection (79%) and wearing gloves during milking (77%). Mastitis costs were substantial (662 CAD per milking cow per year for a typical Canadian dairy farm), with a large portion of the costs (48%) being attributed to SCM, and 34 and 15% due to CM and implementation of preventive measures, respectively. For SCM, the two most important cost components were the subsequent milk yield reduction and culling (72 and 25% of SCM costs, respectively). For CM, first, second, and third most important cost components were culling (48% of CM costs), milk yield reduction following the CM events (34%), and discarded milk (11%), respectively. This study is the first since 1990 to investigate costs of mastitis in Canada. The model developed in the current study can be used to compute mastitis costs at the herd and national level in Canada.

Canada Consumer Price Index (CPI): Weights: Food: PS: DE: DP: Fresh Milk data was reported at 0.290 % in 2024. This stayed constant from the previous number of 0.290 % for 2023. Canada Consumer Price Index (CPI): Weights: Food: PS: DE: DP: Fresh Milk data is updated yearly, averaging 0.520 % from Dec 1986 (Median) to 2024, with 39 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.830 % in 1991 and a record low of 0.290 % in 2024. Canada Consumer Price Index (CPI): Weights: Food: PS: DE: DP: Fresh Milk data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics Canada. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Canada – Table CA.I007: Consumer Price Index: Weights.

Canadian dairy farmers primarily raise cattle for milking, while most revenue comes from selling milk to dairy processors. Revenue has expanded in recent years, climbing at a CAGR of 2.2% to $11.2 billion through the end of 2024. This includes a 4.6% growth in 2024 alone as macroeconomic indicators, including consumer spending and the CPI for food, continue to climb. While consumer spending has risen, fluid milk consumption has fallen in favour of substitutes, cutting into demand for one of dairy farmers' primary products. Downstream demand for other dairy products, including yogourt, butter and cheese, has risen steadily, bolstering demand for milk products used as inputs for those goods. Dairy farmers operate on a supply management system that manages production volumes and the prices they receive for their goods according to domestic demand. This shields farmers from significant revenue volatility and helps keep profit high, especially as they have been able to pass on price increases to consumers in recent years. One key feature of dairy farmers in recent years has been steady consolidation. The number of domestic dairy farms has fallen each year but one over the past decade, as smaller farms have closed or sold their land to larger organizations. While participation has declined, domestic milk production has steadily increased, as the number of dairy cows has remained significant. This indicates that on average, farms have gotten larger. This has caused average revenue generated by dairy farms to climb steadily. Revenue will continue growing because of the controlled nature of dairy farms, increasing at a CAGR of 1.5% to $12.1 billion through the end of 2029. In response to slower revenue growth, farmers will continue their path toward consolidation, though a strong macroeconomic environment will encourage participation. Dairy farmers will also incorporate increasingly advanced machines, including milking robots and machinery, which may further skew the industry's structure toward larger operations with the resources to invest in these technologies.