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 **** Canadian dollars, with some regional differences. For instance, in Quebec, one liter of milk cost **** Canadian dollars on average, while it cost **** Canadian dollars in Ontario.

Milk production in Canada

Canada featured among the leading producers of cow milk worldwide, with a production volume exceeding ** 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 ******* 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 ** million and ** 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 *** million U.S. dollars in revenues in 2022.

The average retail price for homogenized milk hit an all-time high with **** 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 ***** million hectoliters in 2020. Quebec and Ontario are the provincial frontrunners in milk production, both producing over ** 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.

The average whole fresh milk import price stood at $773 per ton in February 2025, rising by 1.7% against the previous month.

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; ...).

This statistic shows the average retail price for * 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 *** Canadian dollars, but jumped up to *** Canadian dollars in February 2022.

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

This table contains 6 series, with data for years 1940 - 1964 (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 (1 item: Canada); Type of dairy product (6 items: Creamery butter-fat;Cheese milk;Milk for concentrated whole milk products;Milk for ice cream mix; ...).

View monthly updates and historical trends for Canada Average Retail Price of Partly Skimmed Milk. Source: Statistics Canada. Track economic data with YCh…

View monthly updates and historical trends for Canada Average Retail Price of Homogenized Milk. Source: Statistics Canada. Track economic data with YChart…

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.

Milk rose to 17.65 USD/CWT on September 19, 2025, up 0.06% from the previous day. Over the past month, Milk's price has risen 1.38%, but it is still 24.35% 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 September of 2025.

Canada Consumer Price Index (CPI): Food: PS: Dairy Products and Eggs: Dairy Products data was reported at 168.400 2002=100 in 2024. This records an increase from the previous number of 165.100 2002=100 for 2023. Canada Consumer Price Index (CPI): Food: PS: Dairy Products and Eggs: Dairy Products data is updated yearly, averaging 72.450 2002=100 from Dec 1949 (Median) to 2024, with 76 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 168.400 2002=100 in 2024 and a record low of 11.800 2002=100 in 1950. Canada Consumer Price Index (CPI): Food: PS: Dairy Products and Eggs: Dairy Products data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics Canada. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Canada – Table CA.I005: Consumer Price Index: 2002=100: Annual.

The Canadian milk market declined to $11.5B in 2024, reducing by -9.2% against the previous year. Overall, consumption, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 9.6% against the previous year. Milk consumption peaked at $12.7B in 2023, and then shrank in the following year.

This table contains 288 series, with data for years 1956 - 1990 (not all combinations necessarily have data for all years), and was last released on 2000-02-18. This table contains data described by the following dimensions (Not all combinations are available): Geography (6 items: Canada; Atlantic Region; Ontario; Quebec ...), Commodities (278 items: Canola oil cake and meal; domestic; Meat products; Primary meat products; Meat; fish and dairy products ...).

This table contains 10 series, with data for years 1920 - 1976 (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; ...); Farm value (1 item: Farm value of total milk production).

This statistic shows the annual consumer price index of dairy products and eggs in Canada from 2003 to 2024. The annual consumer price index for dairy products and eggs was measured at ***** in 2024.

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.

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 **** Canadian dollars per *** milliliters.