Quebec alcohol prices are going up -- with one exception

SAQ to increase prices quebec's liquor board, the SAQ, is raising prices amid rising costs.

Quebec's liquor board, the SAQ, will be raising its prices in May. Wines priced at $15 or less will not go up in price.

SAQ president and CEO Jacques Farcy made the announcement at a press conference in Montreal on Monday, accompanied by CFO Édith Filion, who said it will be increasing its mark-up.

"The mark-up represents the corporation's gross margin, after paying the supplier for the bottle," explained Filion.

Farcy explained that this "moderate adjustment" to the mark-up was necessary due to the SAQ's rising operating costs.

The executive pointed out that the SAQ had adjusted its mark-up downwards since 2017.

"For example, for a $25 wine, the markup adjustment will represent a 0.6 per cent increase, and the increase will be the same for a $45 spirit," Farcy explained.

The SAQ will also offer greater flexibility to suppliers on when they can request a price increase. They will not be able to make the request more than twice a year.

-  This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French Feb. 12, 2024.