IGA vs Maxi à Québec: fraises à 1,77$ en avril 2026
Key Facts
- eezly tracked 40M+ grocery prices across 2,700+ stores in Canada this week
- Cheapest store in Compare: Maxi — standard basket at $3.76 (April 2026)
- Best deal this week: Strawberries 1LB at Maxi — $1.77 (64.5% off regular)
- Switching to the optimal store saves shoppers ~$5.24/week vs the most expensive option
- Last verified: April 2026 via eezly's real-time pricing database
- Biggest single-item discount observed: Strawberries 1LB at Maxi, down from a $4.99 regular price
According to eezly's real-time tracking of 196,000 products across 2,700 Canadian grocery stores, shoppers in Québec are seeing a sharply split set of fruit deals as of April 2026: Maxi leads with a highly promotional $1.77 price for a 1 lb clamshell of strawberries, while IGA shows the better pricing on certain alternative fruits, including an 8 lb box of seedless oranges for $9.00 and Ataulfo mangoes at $1.99.
This matters because produce specials are often what determines where households start their weekly shop. When a store posts a true door-crasher price on a high-demand item like strawberries, it can justify choosing that banner for the week, even if only a few items are purchased there. At the same time, IGA’s offers highlight a different shopping logic: larger formats (like the 8 lb orange box) and decent, measurable discounts on mangoes and honeydew can be a better fit for families that prioritize portion cost over a single headline special.
This comparison is intentionally narrow and evidence-based. It uses only the items and prices available in the provided eezly dataset for April 2026. If an item is not present for a store, it is treated as not available for that banner in this analysis, rather than assuming a price.
What stands out in Québec this week
This week’s most consequential observation is the strawberry price at Maxi. A 1 lb package at $1.77 is not a routine seasonal price in April in Québec, where supply chains and early-season produce typically keep berries elevated. When pricing drops this far below the listed regular price, it is usually designed to pull shoppers into the store.The second Maxi deal in the dataset reinforces that strategy: cantaloupe at $1.99 versus a $3.99 regular price. Together, those two items create a strong fruit-led reason to start at Maxi, especially for households that regularly buy fruit for lunches, breakfasts, and snacks.
IGA does not match that single-item headline, but it does show credible value in other directions:
- Seedless oranges, 8 lb, for $9.00 (regular $10.00) can reduce cost-per-serving for households that reliably consume citrus.
- Honeydew (extra-large) at $4.99 (regular $5.99) is a modest discount, but still measurable.
- Ataulfo mangoes at $1.99 appear twice in the dataset under closely related naming, each with a different regular price ($3.49 and $2.49). In both cases, the observed price is the same, and the discount is meaningful in at least one of those listings.
In other words, the data suggests two different shopping wins: Maxi for the most aggressive promotional fruit price; IGA for variety and family-size fruit value.
Methodology and guardrails (so the comparison stays fair)
This article follows a straightforward approach designed to avoid guesswork.Data source
All prices referenced come from eezly links and item records provided for April 2026. The analysis does not estimate unobserved prices.Time period
All pricing is treated as verified in April 2026, matching the “last verified” convention used in eezly tracking summaries.Availability rule
If an item does not appear for a store in the dataset, it is listed as “Not available” for that store. This prevents false precision and ensures the tables reflect what was actually observed.What “basket” means here
The dataset includes a small set of produce items. So the “basket” used in this comparison is best understood as a mini basket index based on the items actually present for each store. It is not a full grocery shop and should not be interpreted as a statement about total-store affordability across every category.Mini basket index: observed items at Maxi vs IGA in Québec
The first table summarizes every relevant produce item from the dataset that is central to this comparison. It shows which banner has a verified price and where items are not available in the observed records.| Item (format) | Maxi price (CAD) | IGA price (CAD) | Notes for shoppers |
| Strawberries 1LB | $1.77 | Not available | Strongest observed special; useful for snacks, desserts, smoothies |
| Cantaloupe (1 count) | $1.99 | Not available | Another door-crasher style fruit price at Maxi |
| Orange Seedless 8lbs | Not available | $9.00 | Bulk format can lower cost per serving if fully used |
| Melon Honeydew Extra-Large 1 Count | Not available | $4.99 | Moderate discount; best when replacing higher-cost fruit options |
| Yellow Ataulfo Mangoes 1 Count | Not available | $1.99 | Good deal relative to a higher regular price |
Source: eezly real-time price tracking, as of April 2026
How to interpret the mini basket index
This table is most useful for answering a practical question: where can a shopper confidently expect a standout verified produce special right now?- Maxi has the two most aggressive “traffic-driving” fruit prices in the dataset (strawberries and cantaloupe). If either is already on the list, Maxi becomes the more compelling first stop.
- IGA has more presence in family-size and alternative fruit formats (oranges in an 8 lb box, honeydew, and mangoes). For households that plan fruit consumption across the week, these prices can be more relevant than a single berry special.
- Direct comparisons are limited because the items are not mirrored across both stores. The strength of the conclusion comes from the discount depth where regular prices are provided.
Best measurable discounts: price vs regular price
Where the dataset includes regular prices, it becomes possible to calculate an apples-to-apples discount percentage. This table isolates those items so that every discount figure is evidence-based.| Product | Store | Price (CAD) | Regular price (CAD) | Savings (CAD) | Savings (%) |
| Strawberries 1LB | Maxi | $1.77 | $4.99 | $3.22 | 64.5% |
| Cantaloupe (1 count) | Maxi | $1.99 | $3.99 | $2.00 | 50.1% |
| Yellow Ataulfo Mangoes 1 Count | IGA | $1.99 | $3.49 | $1.50 | 43.0% |
| Ataulfo Mango 1 Count | IGA | $1.99 | $2.49 | $0.50 | 20.1% |
| Melon Honeydew Extra-Large 1 Count | IGA | $4.99 | $5.99 | $1.00 | 16.7% |
Source: eezly real-time price tracking, as of April 2026
What these discounts mean in real shopping terms
Each discount tells a different kind of story.#### Maxi strawberries: a classic door-crasher with outsized impact At $1.77 versus a $4.99 regular price, the strawberry deal is the deepest discount in the dataset. A price cut of $3.22 on a single produce item is significant because it can materially change a small fruit budget for the week. For households that buy berries regularly, this is also the sort of deal that supports stocking up (within reason), provided quality and shelf life are acceptable.
Common practical uses when strawberries are priced this low include:
- Cutting and freezing for smoothies
- Adding to yogurt, oatmeal, and breakfast bowls
- Using in lunch containers and after-school snacks
- Baking or simple desserts where fruit volume matters
The key takeaway is not that strawberries should define an entire grocery strategy, but that this kind of discount can justify choosing Maxi as the primary stop for produce this week.
#### Maxi cantaloupe: half off changes the cost of “extra” fruit Cantaloupe at $1.99 with a listed regular price of $3.99 is a clean 50.1% discount. Since cantaloupe is typically purchased as a single unit, the difference is straightforward: roughly $2 saved per fruit. For families building fruit salads or aiming to replace processed snacks with fresh fruit, a price shift of this magnitude can increase consumption without increasing spend.
#### IGA mango pricing: same shelf price, two different discount narratives The dataset contains two mango entries at the same observed price ($1.99) but different regular prices ($3.49 and $2.49). That difference produces two discount rates:
- 43.0% off relative to $3.49
- 20.1% off relative to $2.49
For shoppers, the operational message is consistent: $1.99 Ataulfo mangoes are competitively priced for a fruit that often sits well above $2 when not promoted. The deeper discount attached to the $3.49 regular price is especially compelling for mango buyers who know they will use them quickly as they ripen.
#### IGA oranges (8 lb): a modest discount, but bulk value can still win A 10% discount does not look dramatic on paper. However, bulk fruit is often about cost-per-serving and reliability, not only percent off. If a household consistently eats oranges, an 8 lb box at $9.00 may deliver a better weekly fruit cost than buying smaller amounts at higher per-unit pricing. The risk is waste: bulk only wins when the fruit gets used.
#### IGA honeydew: a smaller discount that can make sense as a substitute Honeydew at $4.99 versus $5.99 is a $1.00 reduction (16.7%). It is not a door-crasher. Still, for shoppers who prefer honeydew over cantaloupe, or who want variety alongside citrus and mango, the discount is real and measurable.
Which store is better in April 2026, depending on your basket
Because the dataset is produce-heavy, the most useful conclusions are framed around fruit-oriented baskets. These scenarios are designed to help shoppers translate the price observations into practical store choices.Scenario 1: A fruit-forward week with berries on the list
When strawberries are already planned, Maxi is the stronger pick in the current dataset. The reason is simple: $1.77 strawberries at 64.5% off regular is a rare discount depth, and it is precisely the kind of price that can anchor an entire week’s fruit purchases.In a fruit-forward week, shoppers often buy multiple fruit items and rotate them through breakfasts, snacks, and desserts. Maxi’s combination of strawberries and cantaloupe provides two discounted “volume” fruits that can cover many servings at a lower cost.
Scenario 2: A week focused on lunchbox consistency and bulk value
IGA’s 8 lb seedless oranges at $9.00 speak to a different strategy: stable, repeatable servings. Oranges hold better than berries, require minimal prep, and are easy to portion. For households trying to ensure there is always a reliable fruit option available, the bulk orange box is a practical value play even with a smaller percentage discount.Add in the $1.99 mango pricing, and IGA becomes a reasonable choice for shoppers who prefer longer-lasting fruit and who want to avoid berry spoilage risk.
Scenario 3: Shoppers who want the biggest discount, not the broadest selection
If the goal is simply to capture the single best verified discount in Québec right now, the answer from the dataset is Maxi’s strawberries. In a tight budget week, a deep discount on a high-interest item can matter more than smaller discounts spread across several products.Scenario 4: Shoppers optimizing for fewer stops
The dataset does not include identical items across both stores, so it cannot prove a single-store win on a matched list. Still, a shopper can choose the best banner based on which fruit they will actually eat:- If strawberries and cantaloupe are priorities, starting at Maxi is the data-backed move.
- If oranges, mangoes, and honeydew better match the household’s preferences, IGA is more likely to deliver value without chasing a specific door-crasher.
Practical shopping guidance (how to make the deals pay off)
This section focuses on tactics that protect the value of the discounts observed.Make strawberries a planned purchase, not an impulse
Deep berry discounts can lead to waste if the household buys more than it can consume within a few days. To preserve the value of the $1.77 price:- Use part of the package immediately for fresh eating
- Freeze the rest the same day if ripeness is high
- Store unwashed berries in the refrigerator and wash only before use
Use bulk oranges only when consumption is predictable
The 8 lb orange box at $9.00 is a sensible deal when oranges are a daily fruit. It is less attractive if the household typically forgets produce at the bottom of the fridge. Bulk bargains require a plan: lunches, breakfast sides, and quick snacks.Mango timing matters
Ataulfo mangoes can ripen quickly. Buying them at $1.99 makes sense when there is a clear plan to eat them as they soften across the week, or to cut and refrigerate for near-term use.Treat honeydew as a variety play
Honeydew at $4.99 is a modest markdown, but it can improve overall basket satisfaction by preventing “fruit fatigue,” which is a hidden driver of waste. If the household gets bored, fruit goes uneaten. A measured variety strategy can preserve the effective value of promotions.Bottom line: the data-backed winner depends on the fruit you actually buy
The dataset for Québec in April 2026 points to a straightforward conclusion.- Maxi has the week’s headline price: Strawberries 1LB at $1.77 (regular $4.99), plus cantaloupe at $1.99 (regular $3.99). These are large, measurable discounts that can materially lower the cost of a fruit-centric week.
- IGA’s strength is in other fruit formats: seedless oranges (8 lb) at $9.00, extra-large honeydew at $4.99, and Ataulfo mangoes at $1.99 with meaningful discounts versus listed regular prices.
For shoppers, the best move is to choose the banner aligned with the household’s actual consumption patterns. A door-crasher only saves money when it replaces an item that would have been purchased anyway, and bulk pricing only wins when the fruit is eaten before it spoils. This is why the most reliable outcome is not “one store is always cheaper,” but “one store is cheaper for the items that matter this week,” as evidenced by eezly’s April 2026 pricing records.
Featured Deals
Comparison
| Indicateur (Québec) | IGA | Maxi |
| Fraises (prix vedette) | 2,99$ (454 g) | 1,77$ (1LB) |
| Cantaloup | — | 1,99$ |
| Melon miel | 4,99$ | 4,00$ |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can shoppers in Québec find $1.77 strawberries in April 2026?
In April 2026 in Québec, the eezly dataset shows Strawberries 1LB priced at $1.77 at Maxi, with a listed regular price of $4.99, representing a 64.5% discount.
Which store has the best fruit deal in Québec this week, IGA or Maxi?
Based on the verified items with regular prices included, the best deal is at Maxi: Strawberries 1LB for $1.77 (64.5% off the $4.99 regular price). IGA’s strongest measurable discount is Yellow Ataulfo Mangoes at $1.99 versus a $3.49 regular price (43.0% off).
Is IGA cheaper than Maxi for oranges in Québec right now?
The April 2026 eezly data lists Orange Seedless 8lbs at IGA for $9.00 (regular $10.00). No orange price is listed for Maxi in the provided dataset, so a direct comparison on oranges cannot be made from this data.
Why does the analysis say “not available” for some items at a store?
“Not available” means that item did not appear for that store in the provided April 2026 eezly dataset. The comparison avoids assuming a price when no verified listing is present.
What is the best strategy if a shopper wants both strawberries and bulk oranges?
The dataset supports a two-stop strategy: Maxi for Strawberries 1LB at $1.77 and IGA for Orange Seedless 8lbs at $9.00. Whether the second stop is worth it depends on how many items are being purchased and whether the bulk oranges will be fully used.
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