In 2025, Canadian families continue to struggle with the rising cost of food. While overall inflation has slowed down, grocery prices remain much higher than they were just a few years ago.
To address this, major supermarkets have rolled out a grocery price freeze and inflation relief measures. This move aims to give shoppers some breathing space, reduce financial pressure, and bring stability to grocery bills.
Let’s break down what the grocery price freeze means, which supermarkets are involved, how much Canadians can save, and what to expect for the rest of the year.
Why Grocery Prices Are Still a Problem
- Food inflation slowed in 2025, but groceries remain over 25% higher than in 2020.
- Families continue to feel squeezed, especially with essentials like meat, dairy, bread, and produce costing more than ever.
- Canadians are spending hundreds of dollars more per year on groceries compared to pre-pandemic times.
This has pushed both government and retailers to look for ways to reduce pressure at the checkout.
What Supermarkets Announced in 2025
Walmart Canada
- Introduced price cuts on hundreds of essential items including fruits, vegetables, cheese, beef, bathroom tissue, and shampoo.
- Estimated average savings: $450 per household per year.
- Pledged to continue rolling out further reductions throughout 2025.
Other Supermarkets
- Sobeys, Metro, Loblaw, and Costco are aligning with new rules and also offering temporary price locks on key products.
- Many chains follow a supplier cost freeze from November to January, meaning prices stay steady during the winter months.
Grocery Code of Conduct
- A new Grocery Code of Conduct is being rolled out in 2025.
- This aims to create fairer pricing agreements between suppliers and supermarkets, which should reduce disputes and hidden fees.
- Full implementation will be in January 2026, but several chains have already signed on.
Canada Grocery Price Freeze 2025
| Retailer / Policy | Action Taken | Expected Benefit | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walmart Canada | Price cuts on hundreds of staples | Save up to $450 per year | Started June 2025 |
| Sobeys, Metro, Loblaw | Temporary price locks on select items | Short-term stability | Ongoing 2025 |
| Supplier Cost Freeze | No supplier price hikes (Nov–Jan) | Slower price increases | Every winter |
| Grocery Code of Conduct | New fair-pricing rules between suppliers & retailers | Long-term price stability | Full rollout Jan 2026 |
How This Affects Canadian Families
- Immediate savings on essentials like bread, milk, fruits, and vegetables.
- Greater predictability in grocery bills, helping households budget better.
- Long-term benefits expected once the Grocery Code of Conduct is fully in place in 2026.
Still, experts warn that while these measures help, they won’t fully erase food inflation. Families will continue to pay more than they did before 2020.
Tips to Maximize Savings
- Shop at chains offering price freezes and cuts – Walmart leads, but others are following.
- Use price-match policies where available to spread savings.
- Buy in bulk before February when the supplier freeze ends and prices may rise again.
- Switch to store brands which are often included in inflation relief offers.
- Track flyers and digital coupons for weekly updates on locked or reduced items.
The Canada Grocery Price Freeze 2025 is not a total solution to food inflation, but it offers meaningful relief to families. Supermarkets like Walmart are cutting prices on hundreds of staples, while the Grocery Code of Conduct promises longer-term fairness in the supply chain.
Though groceries remain far more expensive than a few years ago, Canadians can now use price freezes, price locks, and smart shopping strategies to soften the impact. This year marks a turning point—showing that both retailers and regulators are taking consumer concerns seriously.
FAQs
No, it’s not a single government-mandated freeze. Instead, supermarkets like Walmart and Sobeys are offering their own price cuts and locks on everyday essentials.
Depending on shopping habits, families could save $400–$500 per year by focusing on reduced-price staples and shopping strategically.
Prices may rise again once supplier freezes end, but the Grocery Code of Conduct (effective January 2026) is expected to provide more stability and reduce unfair cost increases.