Ontario government cancels wholesale beer price bump for 2026
The Ontario government has cancelled this year’s planned inflation-based increase to beer mark-ups, meaning there will be no automatic price bump on March 1. The next adjustment isn’t scheduled until March 2027, keeping wholesale beer pricing steady for the year ahead.
In recent years, the annual increase has ranged from roughly 1% to 4%.
The update comes as the LCBO prepares to roll out its new wholesale pricing model on April 1, 2026. An email was also sent to members of Drinks Ontario, a trade association for beverage alcohol agents, suppliers and associates, outlining key deadlines.
Suppliers have until Feb. 26 to submit any pricing adjustments under the current rules. Those revised quotes will take effect March 2, giving suppliers a final opportunity to adjust pricing before the new model goes live in April.
The new wholesale formula was first announced last October and originally scheduled to launch Jan. 1. However, the LCBO later delayed implementation after consulting with industry stakeholders to allow for a smoother transition.
Looking ahead, a new open listing process is set to begin July 1, 2026. The change is intended to make it easier for suppliers to add domestic and imported products to the wholesale catalogue, giving c-stores access to a broader selection. However, Drinks Ontario says details are still being finalized in discussions between it and LCBO management.
