As announced in January, the SAQ will adjust the prices of most of its products on February 16, 2025. 

Various factors explain the February 16th price adjustments:  

  • The end of the GST break on February 15, 2025;
  • An increase in the SAQ’s markup (the profit margin the government corporation charges on the products it sells) on most products except Value Pick wines under $12;
  • The outcome of the SAQ’s purchase price negotiations with suppliers as per the annual calendar;
  • The increase in the fees paid to Éco Entreprises Québec for the former curbside recycling (selective collection) system combined with those related to the modernization of the curbside recycling system, meaning the SAQ has to pay two years’ worth of fees in a single year;
  • Changes in the cost of ocean and land transport, largely related to the strike at the Port of Montreal.  

The combined impact of these factors is as follows: 

February 16th price adjustment on regular and continuous replenishment products
Overall average change 2.6%
Average decrease -$1.95 (-5.9%)
Average increase $0.80 (2.9%)

 

Number of products impacted by the price increases and decreases
  Increase Decrease Total
Regular products 1,145 11 1,156
Continuous replenishment specialty products 2,039 44 2,083
Total 3,184 55 3,239