1.9% Increase of Quebec’s Minimum Price of Beer as of April 1st 2020
Reflecting a quite strong economy, inflation in Canada has reached a substantial level of 1.9% last year versus 2.3% the previous year (see source here), after several years of low increases such as 0.9% in 2013 or 1.1% in 2015.
For Quebec beer lovers, that essentially means the minimum price of beer sold here will be increased by a similar rate on April 1st.
Indeed, the Régie des alcools, courses et jeux (RACJ) — Quebec’s Liquor Board — will announce over the next few months that it will raise the minimum beer prices by 1.9% uniformly according to the various categories of alcohol, as follows:
- $3.0461 to $3.1040 per liter for beers with less than 4.1% alcohol by volume;
- $3.2175 to $3.2787 per liter for beers of not less than 4.1% and not more than 4.9%;
- from $3.3377 to $3.4011 per liter for beers over 4.9% and not more than 6.2%;
- from $3.4496 to $3.5151 per liter for beers with more than 6.2% alcohol by volume.
Thus, the Quebec minimum price of beer for a 24-pack of Bud Light (4% alcohol) will rise from $25.95 to $26,45, an increase of 50 cents.
That of a 24-pack of Molson Dry (5.5%) will almost reach the $29 mark, rising from $28.44 to $28.98, an increase of 54 cents.
Now, will this affect current prices? Not necessarily, because the vast majority of retailers already sell their beer well above the minimum price, as we reported in a previous article (see here).
According to DepQuébec‘s most recent beer price survey, only Costco and a few beer discount c-stores will be forced to raise prices and that, for some products only. See by yourself (taxes are not included).
Min Price $/L | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bud Light | 4 % | 3,1040 | 12 can. 355 ml | ||||||
| 24 can. 355 ml | |||||||||
| 30 can. 355 ml | |||||||||
| 60 can. 355 ml. | |||||||||
| Coors Light | 4 % | 3,1040 | 12 can. 355 ml | ||||||
| 24 can. 355 ml | |||||||||
| 28 bot. 341 ml | |||||||||
| 60 can. 355 ml. | |||||||||
| Labatt Bleue | 4,9 % | 3,2787 | 30 can. 355 ml | ||||||
| 24 bot. 341 ml | |||||||||
| Budweiser | 5 % | 3,4011 | 16 can. 355 ml. | ||||||
| 24 bot. 341 ml | |||||||||
| 48 can. 355 ml | |||||||||
| 60 can. 355 ml | |||||||||
| 12 can. 355 ml | |||||||||
| Molson Canadian | 5 % | 3,4011 | 24 bot. 341 ml |
Only cases of 60 cans of Coors Light, Bud Light and Budweiser sold at Costco will need their price to be raised to equal or exceed the new minimum price as well as similar products at the Dépanneur Rapido.
For the rest, it does not change anything, which does not mean that manufacturers and retailers will not take advantage of the increase to raise their own prices on the sly.
This is still indicative of one thing: the time when beer was systematically sold at the minimum price is over.
Still, Quebec remains a paradise for affordable beer in Canada, especially when compared to Ontario.
This explains in particular why DepQuébec’s articles about Quebec beer prices and translated into English are among the portal’s most popular outside La Belle Province!
Cheers.
