The Dairy Farmers of Manitoba aren’t upset about the provincial government’s decision to freeze the regulated retail price of milk for 2026.
The farm organiztion told the Co-operator that dairy farmers across the province are grateful for the trust Manitoba consumers place in them.
“We appreciate (Agriculture) Minister Kostyshyn and the Manitoba government’s continued acknowledgement of our work and commitment to producing and maintaining a reliable supply of high-quality milk across the province,” said Miriam Sweetnam, chair of the organization.
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WHY IT MATTERS: Manitoba linked their recent decision to freeze retail milk prices to ongoing affordability issues.
On Jan. 13, Premier Wab Kinew and Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn announced the freeze, applicable to one-litre milk containers. That holds prices in line with the most recent Retail Milk Prices Order, in effect since Feb. 1, 2025. Top price for a litre of skim milk under that order sits at $1.93. A litre of one per cent milk could cost Manitobans $1.97, while two per cent sat at a $2.03 cap. Homogenized milk could have a price tag up to $2.10.
Those rules don’t apply to flavoured or organic milk, according to the Milk Prices Review Act. The same act sets out additional costs allowed for long rural transport distances.
“An everyday essential like milk should not cost a lot, especially when we consider how important it is to kids’ healthy development. We’re freezing the retail price of milk for 2026, so it stays within reach for families looking to make healthy choices,” Kinew said.
Kinew and Kostyshyn pointed to 2022 price adjustments, which raised the regulated milk price by 25 cents.
“Last year, after reviewing updated cost data and market conditions, the (Farm Products Marketing Council) reduced the regulated price by one cent,” a government release said Jan. 13. “This decrease demonstrates the council’s commitment to ongoing oversight and its mandate to ensure prices remain fair, transparent and responsive to changing economic pressures.”
Reporting from CBC cited Kinew as saying that Manitoba’s Farm Products Marketing Council, which has the authority to set prices at the producer, wholesale and retail levels, had initially asked for a four cent increase. The council operates under legislation requiring it to balance producer sustainability with consumer protection.
CBC also reported that, while retail price was being frozen, the price dairy producers would get for their milk would still be going up.
Last October, the Canadian Dairy Commission announced a 2.3255 per cent jump in farm gate milk price, coming into effect this February.
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Kostyshyn praised Manitoba’s dairy producers for their vital role in sustaining the province’s food system, noting their dedication to quality, safety, and rural jobs.
“Their commitment to innovation and responsible farming helps keep milk affordable for families while ensuring a stable, reliable supply across our province. We’re proud to work alongside producers who reflect the best of Manitoba’s agricultural tradition and its future,” he said.
The provincial government says it is also studying additional measures aimed at reducing grocery costs for families.
