Winnipeg 
Manitoba will keep milk prices unchanged through 2026, a move the provincial government says will protect household budgets while maintaining fair returns for dairy producers.
Credit: Ahmadreza Rezaie/Unsplash
Premier Wab Kinew and Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn confirmed the price freeze, noting that Manitoba already has the lowest regulated milk prices in Canada.
Milk is a weekly purchase for many families, especially those with children, and the government framed the decision as a way to keep a basic staple affordable. Kinew pointed to a 25-cent increase approved in 2022 under the previous government, calling it the largest jump in more than a decade. Since then, the Farm Products Marketing Council has reduced the regulated price by one cent after reviewing updated cost data.
The council has legal authority to set regulated milk prices in Manitoba, covering what producers receive and what wholesalers and retailers charge. Its mandate requires balancing producer sustainability with consumer protection. Kostyshyn said Manitoba’s dairy farmers play a central role in the local food system, supporting rural jobs and maintaining high animal-care standards.
The announcement comes as the Canadian Dairy Commission completes its national farmgate price review. Following consultations, the commission has proposed a 2.3255 per cent increase to farmgate milk prices starting Feb. 1, 2026. The adjustment reflects rising production costs, particularly for feed and labour, alongside inflation of 2.4 per cent and food price growth of 4.0 per cent last September.
When combined with higher carrying charges collected by the commission to offset storage costs, the increase amounts to 2.375 per cent, or just over two cents per litre paid by processors. The commission cautioned that changes at the farm level do not automatically translate into higher retail prices, as transportation, packaging, labour and distribution costs also influence what consumers pay.
Clara Birnie of the Child Nutrition Council said cost remains a major barrier to accessing nutritious food, especially for children. She described regulated pricing for staple foods as a positive step toward improving food access.
Manitoba officials say the province is also examining additional measures to reduce grocery costs for families.
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