Maple Leaf Foods Adds Freight Surcharges as Middle East Conflict Increases Costs
Maple Leaf Foods announced a temporary fuel surcharge to offset rising transportation costs tied to the ongoing Middle East conflict, particularly the shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz. Despite the surcharge, the company reported a 6.2% sales increase to $962.9 million, driven by an 11.7% jump in poultry sales and a 2.3% rise in prepared foods. First‑quarter profit slipped to $46.1 million, down from $49.6 million a year earlier, as the firm raised prices by about 11 cents per kilogram. CEO Curtis Frank emphasized that the surcharge will be removed once fuel markets normalize.
'Not a Serious Solution:' Experts Say Government-Run Grocery Stores Won't Fix Food Affordability
Canadian retail leaders warn that government‑run grocery stores will not solve rising food costs. Gary Sands of the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers and Kim Furlong of the Retail Council of Canada argue that affordability is driven by complex supply‑chain...
Loblaw Reports Q1 Profit and Sales up From Year Ago, Raises Quarterly Dividend
Loblaw Companies Ltd. posted a stronger first‑quarter, with profit rising to $594 million and revenue climbing to $14.72 billion, up from $14.14 billion a year earlier. Same‑store food sales increased 2.4%, while drug and pharmacy services grew 4.1% and 6.7% respectively. The company...
Antoni Porowski and Fresh Express Dish on Salad Kits
At the CPMA Convention, Fresh Express promoted its salad kits as full‑meal options, with host Antoni Porowski stressing health, taste and convenience. The brand highlighted a consumer shift toward layered textures, global flavor profiles and easy DIY upgrades. Executives said...
We Don’t Lack Ideas in Canada—We Bury Them in Red Tape
Canada’s Spring Economic Update signals a shift toward modernizing food‑safety regulation, proposing risk‑based, adaptive frameworks. Critics warn that fewer inspections could weaken oversight, but the government argues it will reduce administrative burdens while preserving safety. The current approval process can...
The Food Industry Has Always Worried About Inflation. It Should Now Worry About Appetite
Canada’s health regulator has cleared Apotex’s generic version of Ozempic, slashing the price of GLP‑1 weight‑loss drugs. Adoption is soaring, with roughly 8% of adults—about three million people—using GLP‑1s, cutting their calorie intake and grocery bills by around 5%. The...
Yogurt’s Popularity Continues to Climb
Yogurt consumption in Canada now reaches more than 80% of households, with refrigerated sales climbing 4.2% year‑over‑year through December 2024. High‑protein varieties, especially Greek and fortified options, have shifted from a fad to a core category driver. Digestive‑health claims, probiotics and...
From Surviving to Thriving: Mars Snacking North America's Jessica Adelman Shares Her Resilience Mandate
Jessica Adelman, senior vice president and chief corporate officer for Mars Snacking North America, delivered a keynote at SIAL Canada outlining a tested resilience framework built on three pillars: value creation, risk mitigation, and reputation management. Drawing on three decades...
From Forgotten Bananas to Supper Saves: The Rise of Top-Up Shopping
Skip announced a partnership with Loblaw to support the growing trend of top‑up shopping, where consumers make frequent, small‑basket purchases. Drivers include urban living, time pressure, shrinking households and inflation‑induced price sensitivity. While lower average order values challenge margins, retailers...
This Week in Grocery News: DoorDash Adds Empire Stores to Network, High Oil Prices Fuel Change
DoorDash has inked a partnership to add 12 Empire banners, including Sobeys and Safeway, to its on‑demand grocery network, expanding its reach across Canada. Canada Packers (Maple Leaf Foods’ pork unit) disclosed a first‑quarter profit of C$43.8 million (≈US$32 million) and said...
Formula 1 Driver Lewis Hamilton Fronts S.Pellegrino’s ‘Dinner Dialogues’
Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton is the face of S.Pellegrino’s new global platform, “Dinner Dialogues.” The campaign features an unscripted short film where Hamilton and three childhood friends discuss life over sparkling water, with conversation‑starter prompts added to the bottle label....
‘A Lot of Money to Be Made:’ How Canada's Food and Beverage Companies Can Grow Outside the U.S.
Canadian food and beverage exporters are rethinking their heavy reliance on the United States as the CUSMA trade pact heads for renegotiation. A panel at SIAL Canada highlighted the need to explore new markets, with Export Development Canada (EDC) focusing...
Pork Company Canada Packers Says It Is Passing High Fuel Costs on to Customers
Canada Packers posted a first‑quarter profit of C$43.8 million (≈US$32 million), up from C$34.1 million a year earlier, while adjusted earnings fell to 54 cents per share from 89 cents. Sales slipped to C$428.3 million (≈US$313 million) as the company announced it will pass higher fuel costs—driven...
Lactalis Canada Appoints Sales and Marketing Leadership for Cheese and Tablespreads
Lactalis Canada has appointed Ola Machnowski as vice president of marketing and Vish Aggarwal as vice president of sales for its Cheese & Tablespreads division. Machnowski arrives from SharkNinja after senior stints at The Hershey Company, Unilever and GSK, while...
Bank of Canada Holds Key Rate Steady but Warns Future Movements Unclear
The Bank of Canada kept its benchmark policy rate at 2.25% for a fourth straight meeting, in line with market expectations. Governor Tiff Macklem warned that elevated uncertainty—stemming from the war in Iran and a pending Canada‑U.S‑Mexico trade review—could push rates...
How Marketing Can Help Keep Meat Sales Moving
Meat sales are projected to climb 5%‑7% in 2026, the steepest rise among grocery categories. In 2025, meat prices surged 7.2%, with beef alone up 19% in the first quarter, pressuring household budgets. Marketers are countering price sensitivity by highlighting...
Kellogg's Mission Tiger Launches in Canada
Kellogg’s Mission Tiger, the company’s sports‑access initiative first launched in the U.S., has expanded to Canada. The program pairs Frosted Flakes sales with a $5 CAD (≈$3.70 USD) donation to KidSport Canada for each QR‑code scan, funding registration fees and equipment for...
A New Normal at the Grocery Store: More Strategy, Less Freedom
The Dalhousie Canadian Food Sentiment Index shows that while panic over food inflation has eased, affordability remains a critical issue for Canadians. In spring 2026, 81% still cite food as the expense rising most sharply, and average monthly spending on...
Climate Change Is Increasing Northern Ontario Cattle Herds—And Beef Prices
Canadian cattle herds showed a modest 2.5% rise in early 2026 after eight years of decline, but beef prices remain 23% above the five‑year average. Climate‑driven pasture stress and frequent droughts in the Prairies keep feed scarce, limiting herd expansion....
Calgary Co-Op Sales Rise in 2025 as Company Reports Profit of $6.12 Million
Calgary Co‑op posted a profit of roughly $4.5 million USD for fiscal 2025, rebounding from a $7.4 million USD loss the year before. Total sales rose about 5% to $1.15 billion USD, helped by strong pharmacy revenue, while petroleum and liquor sales slipped...
Canadians in 'Survival Mode' As Food Expenses Rise: Report
The spring 2026 Canadian Food Sentiment Index, based on a Feb. 23‑24 survey of 3,000 households, shows food costs are squeezing budgets, with average monthly grocery spend rising to CAD $519.96 (≈US $380), a 4.6% year‑over‑year increase. About 34% of Canadians are...
Indie Grocers Say New Grocery Code Is Already Reshaping Supplier Relations
The Canada Grocery Code of Conduct became effective on Jan. 1, 2026, and independent grocers say it is already reshaping supplier relationships. The voluntary code creates a dispute‑resolution framework that treats small retailers the same as large chains, fostering transparency on...
Canadian Grocery in Focus: Leadership, AI, and Resilience at RCCSTORE26
RCCSTORE26, the premier Canadian grocery conference, convenes June 2‑3 in Toronto to tackle AI, leadership, and supply‑chain resilience. Sessions feature Loblaws senior executives discussing AI‑powered product discovery and digital loyalty, while a leadership track explores building resilient teams amid rapid change....
'I Live in Vegas': Canadian Ag Producers Take Gamble with High Fuel, Fertilizer Costs
Canadian grain producers are confronting a sharp surge in diesel and fertilizer prices, which have nearly doubled since the Middle‑East conflict disrupted oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. Farmers such as Bruce Bird and Dave Reid pre‑purchased fuel and...
Canadian Grocer Nominated for National Magazine Awards: B2B
Canadian Grocer earned three nominations for the eighth annual National Magazine Awards: B2B, covering its People series, Generation Next Thinking series, and the 2025 GroceryIQ Shopper Study. The People series is up for Best Editorial, Column or Regularly Featured Department,...
Think Turkey Teams with AJ Lawson for 'You Turkey' Campaign
Think Turkey has teamed up with professional basketball player AJ Lawson for its "You Turkey" campaign, launching a 15‑second television spot that debuted during the U.S. college basketball championships. The ad will run through the professional basketball championship series and be...
Avocados From Mexico Signs Key Step Against Deforestation with New “Zero Deforestation Agreement”
The Association of Avocado Producers and Export Packers of Mexico (APEAM) signed a voluntary Zero Deforestation Agreement on April 15, 2026 with Mexico’s environment ministry (SEMARNAT) and the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (PROFEPA). The pact aims to tighten traceability, enforce forestry...
Mr. Carney, Which CUSMA Strategy Is It This Week?
Sylvain Charlebois warns that Canada’s CUSMA strategy under Mark Carney is increasingly vague, with mixed messages about the deal’s value and strategic importance. An advisory council has been formed, but it omits primary producers and western farmer voices. Meanwhile, Mexico...
Grocery & Specialty Food West Reveals Top Ten in Grocery 2026
The Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers announced the Top Ten in Grocery 2026 winners at Grocery & Specialty Food West in Vancouver. Editors from trade media and a retail committee selected the best products from the New Product Showcase. Categories...
High Fuel Prices Driving up Shipping Costs for Northern Grocers
Northern Canadian grocers are feeling the squeeze as soaring fuel prices drive up air‑freight costs, the primary mode for perishable items. Jet fuel has roughly doubled, prompting the North West Co. to add 20‑50¢ per pound (about $0.15‑$0.37 USD) in surcharges,...
Jelena Vrbaski Named President of Puratos Canada
Puratos has appointed long‑time executive Jelena Vrbaski as president of its Canadian division, succeeding Michael Simone. Vrbaski, a 15‑year veteran who most recently served as vice‑president of sales, will steer the business toward deeper customer partnerships, innovation, and operational excellence....
Royale Rolls Out Brand Platform ‘There for All’
Royale, Canada’s leading paper‑product brand, unveiled its new brand platform “There for All.” The campaign positions the brand as an irreplaceable part of everyday Canadian life, linking its products to intimate moments such as wiping tears or cleaning spills. A...
Why the Most Important Food Prices Are Rising Again
Canadian grocery inflation rose to 4.4% in March, outpacing the headline 4% CPI figure. Meat prices surged—beef up 12.7%, chicken 7.5%, pork 6.2%—as herd reductions and higher feed costs tighten supply. Vegetable prices also jumped, with cucumbers up 28.4% and...
Sobeys Expands Partnership with Electronic Shelf Label Supplier JRTech Solutions
Sobeys, the flagship banner of Empire Company, is expanding its partnership with Quebec‑based JRTech Solutions to roll out Pricer’s electronic shelf label (ESL) technology in roughly 300 to 350 stores. The multicolor ESLs will run on Pricer’s cloud‑based Pricer Plaza...
Alberta Government Meeting with Grocers to Address Food Affordability: Minister
Alberta's government announced it is meeting with several of Canada’s largest grocery chains to tackle rising food costs. Service Alberta Minister Dale Nally, a former grocery executive, is leading the discussions. Premier Danielle Smith highlighted consumer frustration over higher prices...
How AgriTech North Is Fighting Food Insecurity in Ontario
AgriTech North has built a 2,500‑sq‑ft. patented greenhouse with a triple‑layer ETFE envelope that cuts heat loss by up to 70%, enabling year‑round cultivation in Dryden’s -40 °C winters. Backed by federal, provincial and private funding, the firm plans to scale...
Inflation Jumps to 2.4% in March Driven by Iran War Oil Shock, StatCan Says
Canada’s annual inflation rose to 2.4% in March, driven by a record 21.2% monthly jump in gasoline prices after Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz. Without fuel, inflation would have been 2.2%, marking a second consecutive decline. The federal government’s...
Skip Shutters Express Lane, Lays Off Staff
Skip announced the shutdown of its Express Lane delivery service, a venture launched in 2021 that aimed to operate 38 ghost‑kitchen‑style fulfillment centers across Canada. The service offered roughly 1,500 items at grocery‑store prices and was sold exclusively through a...
This Week in Grocery News: Canadians Crown Dollarama Most Reputable, Great Value Rebrands
Dollarama was named the most reputable company in English Canada in Leger’s Reputation 2026 survey, overtaking Costco. Walmart announced the first full Great Value rebrand in over a decade, updating roughly 10,000 food and consumable items. 7‑Eleven plans to close 645...
How T&T’s Tina Lee Takes The Lead
T&T Supermarket CEO Tina Lee credits a people‑first philosophy and transparent communication for the chain’s rapid growth, including the recent Erin Mills store opening. She rose to the role at 34, earning respect by sharing vision, admitting insecurities, and surrounding herself...
Doug Ford Nixes Idea of Grocery Surveillance Pricing Ban in Ontario
Ontario Premier Doug Ford dismissed a proposal to ban surveillance pricing in grocery stores, calling the idea "socialist" and "crazy." He argued that competition, not government price controls, is the best way to lower costs, and blamed high gas prices...
The Disappearing Middle Is Distorting Canada’s Food Economy
Canada’s food system is being reshaped by a shrinking middle class, creating a K‑shaped market where affluent consumers drive premium demand while low‑income households cut back to basic calories. Over the past decade the top 20% of earners increased their...
Former Walmart Canada Exec John Bayliss to Join Metro
Metro Inc. announced that John Bayliss, a former Walmart Canada senior executive, will become executive vice‑president of national supply chain and procurement, effective May 29. Bayliss leaves his role as CEO of Mastermind Toys, where he has served since May 2025, after...
How Khadija Jiwani Is Leading the Next Phase of Aliya’s Fine Foods
Khadija Jiwani, a civil‑engineer‑turned‑MBA, has driven Aliya’s Fine Foods into its next growth phase by revitalising the Chef Bombay brand and expanding production capacity. Starting with a modest $5,000 packaging redesign in 2015, she secured placement in Loblaws and Sobeys,...
Kruger’s Michel Manseau to Retire, Michael Urlick Tapped as Successor
Michel Manseau, senior vice‑president and general manager of Canada Consumer Sales at Kruger Products, is retiring after a 37‑year career but will stay on as a special advisor. Michael Urlick, who joined Kruger in July 2023 as senior vice‑president of...
Milk Prices up 5.5% Across Canada: Field Agent
Field Agent Canada’s 2026 Canadian Fluid Milk Report, based on audits of 185 stores in 20 cities, shows milk prices have risen 5.5% since June 2024. The increase follows a 2.3% farm‑gate price hike imposed by the Canadian Dairy Commission...
Four Things to Know About Nostalgia
Consumers worldwide are gravitating toward familiar, comfort‑driven flavors, fueling a burgeoning nostalgia economy. Market research estimates the global nostalgia‑driven foods and beverages market at $18 billion in 2024, projected to exceed $30 billion by 2033. In Canada, millennials and Gen Z show the...
Food Prices Are Already High in Canada. Will the Iran War Make Them Worse?
Canada’s food prices are already 30% higher than a decade ago and have been outpacing overall inflation. The ongoing war in Iran threatens to push oil prices above $100 per barrel, which could raise transportation costs, particularly for fresh fruits...
Maple Syrup Season Closes on a Sweet Note, Despite Tumultuous Weather
Canada’s 2025 maple‑syrup harvest produced 18.9 million gallons, a 5.1 % decline from the 2024 record, as erratic freeze‑thaw cycles hampered sap flow. Quebec remained the dominant supplier, accounting for roughly 90 % of national output, while southern regions lagged behind schedule. Export...
Manitoba Food Tax Cut Could Be Broadened, Budget Passes Key Vote in Legislature
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew announced that, starting July 1, the province will broaden its food‑tax exemption to include all items sold in grocery stores, such as snacks, ready‑made meals and soft drinks. The move does not extend the break to convenience...