For consumers
About the retail price of regular fluid milk
Milk processors, distributors and retailers request an adjustment from the Régie des marchés agricoles et alimentaires du Québec (RMAAQ) based on various processing and distribution costs.
The farm gate price is not set by the RMAAQ and the retail price has no effect on the farm gate price, which is set at the Canadian level. The RMAAQ’s decision is usually announced in December and takes effect on February 1.
Some exceptions may be made for adjusting indexation at various other times of the year.
About the retail price of other dairy products
Only the retail price of regular fluid milk is regulated. The price of value-added fluid milk, i.e. milk with special features that keep it fresh longer, make it even more nutritious or give it a different appearance, is not set by the RMAAQ. Retailers set the price of this milk.
Retailers also set the retail prices of other dairy products and adjust them at their discretion. These prices are not regulated.
For producers
About the price of the raw material used to make fluid milk, butter, cheese, yogurt and ice cream
The price paid to producers is indexed once per year by the Canadian Dairy Commission (CDC) based on a formula that takes production costs (50%) and the Consumer Price Index (50%) into account. The CDC’s decision is usually announced in November and takes effect on February 1.
Some exceptions may be made for adjusting indexation at various other times of the year.
How is the price of milk established in Canada?
FAQ about the price of milk (CDC)
About the price of the raw material used in special classes (as an ingredient in secondary processing)
The price fluctuates according to world prices.
Producer’s share for milk
Producer’s share for milk
Producer’s share for yogurt
Producer’s share for butter
