The Manitoba government says the retail price of one-litre cartons of milk will be frozen for 2026.
Premier Wab Kinew and Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn announced the freeze on Wednesday, saying that milk prices in Manitoba are already among the lowest in Canada.
The government contrasted the decision with a 25-cent increase approved in 2022 under the previous Progressive Conservative government.
Milk prices in Manitoba are regulated by the Farm Products Marketing Council, which has authority to set prices at the producer, wholesale and retail levels. The council is required by law to balance consumer protection with the long-term sustainability of dairy producers.
The province says the 2022 increase was larger than the combined increases over the previous decade. In 2025, the council reduced the regulated price by one cent after reviewing updated cost data and market conditions.
“An everyday essential like milk should not cost a lot, especially when we consider how important it is to kids’ healthy development,” said Kinew.
The price freeze was welcomed by the Child Nutrition Council, which works with schools to improve access to nutritious food for children and youth. The organization said cost remains a major barrier for many families and that regulating staple food prices can help address that challenge.
“The Manitoba government is currently in the process of studying ways to further reduce grocery costs for families,” the province said in a release.
