In some cases, the higher prices are due to the Canadian Dairy Commission's approval of a second milk price increase this year. Farm gate milk prices are set to go up about two cents per litre, or 2.5 per cent, on Sept. 1.
Lactalis Canada, for example, said in a letter to customers it must implement an average national market increase of five per cent this September, a rate it said that takes into account the CDC pricing increase as well as "significant inflationary costs" the company is facing.
Arla Foods Canada issued a similar notice, saying price increases on its products coming this September reflect higher milk ingredient costs and the "inflationary impacts across freight and packaging."
Saputo Dairy Products Canada also said it would implement price increases in the five per cent range, depending on the category.
"Producers have faced increased production costs as well as rising feed, energy and fertilizer costs, which have had a significant impact on this year's farm gate milk price adjustment," Saputo said in a letter to its retail customers.