Quick Facts

  • In 2022, five grocery retailers control almost 80% of the market share in Canada
  • As of February 2023, grocery prices rose 10.6% year-over-year, more than double the overall inflation rate.
  • A Canada Grocery Code promotes predictability, transparency, and fair dealing as ingredients and products make their way from suppliers to stores to Canadians’ homes.
  • Grocery Codes of Conduct in other regions, such as the UK and Australia, have led to better dealing between suppliers and retailers, and have increased growth throughout their food supply chains.

Issue Overview

CFA has been working with key industry stakeholders from across the grocery supply chain to develop the Canada Grocery Code (CGC) since 2021.

In December 2025 the governance structure, dispute resolution mechanics and associated documentation for the CGC were formally adopted. The Code became fully operational in January 2026

The Code has begun to accept and mediate complaints, while conducting monitoring and reporting activities and sharing anonymized case studies.

Click here to learn more about the Canada Grocery Code

Working Towards Solutions

CFA has been heavily involved since 2021 in the development of the Code as part of an industry-led steering committee comprised of farm, processing and retail associations.

With the Code now implemented and fuly functional, CFA will be focused on the following key issues for the CGC:​

  • Ensuring producers are protected from reprisal or retribution when raising disputes​
  • Preventing buyers from using contractual dispute resolution mechanisms to avoid application of the Code​
  • Ensuring compliance measures hold parties accountable to demonstrate they have resolved issues arising through disputes

CFA is very excited with the completion of this important project, and believes it will usher in a new era of fairness in relations between suppliers and buyers in Canada.