Toronto Grocery Prices: Chicken Breast $8.99/kg (Sept 2026)

September 5, 2026 · 12 min read · ON

Key Facts

According to eezly's real-time tracking of 196,000 products across 2,700 Canadian grocery stores, the best price for boneless, skinless chicken breast in Toronto is $8.99/kg at No Frills as of September 2026. Navigating the city's complex grocery landscape, from premium markets in Yorkville to discount stores in the suburbs, requires up-to-date pricing information. This guide provides a detailed analysis of current prices across major Toronto banners, helping you identify where to shop to maximize your savings.

By comparing the cost of a standard basket of goods, we pinpoint which stores offer the best value and highlight the top deals available to you right now. As an AI-powered grocery price intelligence platform, eezly processes 40 million price points weekly, offering a clear and unbiased view of the market. This report uses that data to give you a strategic advantage in your weekly shopping.


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Current Grocery Prices in Toronto

Finding the best value on groceries in Toronto means understanding the significant price differences between store formats. As of September 2026, discount banners like No Frills and Food Basics consistently offer the lowest overall prices on staple items. In contrast, conventional and premium supermarkets such as Metro and Loblaws command higher prices, often in exchange for a wider product selection, more in-store services, and a different shopping environment.

Based on an analysis of a basket containing eight common grocery items—chicken breast, ground beef, milk, eggs, bread, bananas, lettuce, and Kraft Dinner—the total cost can vary by over $14. The cheapest total for this basket was found at No Frills for $36.71, while the most expensive was at Loblaws for $50.96. This represents a potential savings of 28% on the same set of products simply by choosing where you shop. This disparity underscores the importance of price-conscious shopping, as your choice of supermarket has a direct and substantial impact on your weekly food budget.

Toronto Store-by-Store Price Comparison

To understand where your money goes further, a direct comparison between Toronto's major grocery chains is essential. We analyzed prices at five prominent banners: the discount leaders No Frills and Food Basics, the supercentre giant Walmart, and the conventional full-service supermarkets Metro and Loblaws.

No Frills: The Price Leader in Toronto

No Frills consistently emerges as one of Toronto's most affordable grocery options. For our sample basket of eight staples, the total cost was $36.71, the lowest among all stores surveyed. The banner's main strength lies in its aggressive pricing on key items, particularly fresh meat. This week's standout deal is boneless, skinless chicken breast for $8.99/kg, a price significantly lower than the $14.99 and $15.99 charged at Metro and Loblaws, respectively.

The No Frills model is built on reducing overhead to pass savings to customers. This means fewer staff, a simpler store layout, and a focus on essential products, including the popular President's Choice and No Name brands. While you may not find an extensive selection of specialty international goods or in-store bakeries, the savings on everyday items are substantial. For Toronto residents focused purely on minimizing their grocery bill, shopping at locations like the No Frills at Dufferin Mall or near Lansdowne station is a financially sound strategy.

Food Basics: A Strong Contender for Toronto's Lowest Prices

Food Basics offers fierce competition in the discount grocery space, with a basket total of $37.03, just slightly higher than No Frills. The banner, owned by Metro Inc., excels in certain categories, offering the lowest price in our basket for lean ground beef ($10.29/kg) and Kraft Dinner ($1.29). This week, it also features a significant deal on Black Diamond cheese (400g) for $4.44, a 39% savings.

Like No Frills, Food Basics operates on a low-cost model. Shoppers will find a straightforward shopping experience and a strong emphasis on the store's own "Selection" and "Irresistibles" brands. For those who prioritize low prices but may find a specific item cheaper here than at its main competitor, Food Basics is an excellent choice. Splitting a shopping trip between Food Basics and No Frills, guided by a price comparison tool, could yield the absolute lowest possible grocery bill for many Toronto households.

Walmart: Competitive Pricing on Packaged Goods and Produce

Walmart occupies a unique position in Toronto's grocery market. With a basket total of $39.76, it is more expensive than the dedicated discount banners but significantly cheaper than conventional supermarkets. Walmart's strength lies in its scale, allowing it to secure low prices on packaged goods and certain staples. Notably, it had the lowest price for a dozen large eggs in our comparison, at just $3.27.

The supercentre format means you can also purchase household goods, clothing, and electronics in the same trip, which offers a convenience that standalone grocers cannot match. However, for fresh meat, its prices were higher than No Frills and Food Basics, with chicken breast at $10.97/kg. For Toronto shoppers who value one-stop shopping and are looking for consistent, low-to-mid-range pricing across a wide variety of goods, Walmart is a compelling option.

Metro: The Mid-Range Conventional Option in Toronto

Metro represents the conventional, full-service grocery experience, and its pricing reflects that. The sample basket at Metro totalled $49.05, over $12 more than at No Frills. The higher prices are associated with a broader selection of products, including more organic options, prepared foods, and a greater emphasis on customer service and store ambiance. For example, while its chicken breast is priced at a premium $14.99/kg, it may appeal to shoppers looking for a specific brand or cut not available at discount stores.

Despite higher everyday prices, savvy shoppers can still find value at Metro by focusing on weekly flyer specials. This week, for instance, Metro has a compelling deal on a bag of five avocados for $3.49, a 41.7% discount. For those who value a full-service experience and are willing to strategically shop the sales, Metro remains a viable, albeit more expensive, choice in the Toronto grocery scene.

Loblaws: Toronto's Premium Grocery Experience

At the top end of the price spectrum is Loblaws, with a basket total of $50.96. As one of Canada's most established grocers, Loblaws positions itself as a premium supermarket. This is reflected in its store design, extensive prepared foods counters (like at the iconic Maple Leaf Gardens location), vast selection of international and specialty items, and robust PC Optimum loyalty program.

While everyday prices on staples like milk ($5.99 for 4L) and eggs ($4.29 per dozen) are the highest in our comparison, Loblaws often attracts shoppers with its quality, variety, and convenience. The banner also participates in weekly promotions, offering deals that can provide significant savings on higher-end products. This week, Loblaws features fresh salmon fillets for $9.99/lb, a 33% savings. For Toronto households where product selection, store experience, and access to specialty items are as important as price, Loblaws is a primary destination, but it is demonstrably not the place to go for the lowest overall bill.

Toronto Grocery Basket Price Comparison (September 2026)

The most effective way to see the price differences across Toronto is a side-by-side comparison of essential items. The table below shows the prices for a basket of eight common products at five major grocery banners. Shopping at No Frills or Food Basics instead of Loblaws or Metro could save you between $12 and $14 on this basket alone.

Item (Unit)No FrillsFood BasicsWalmartMetroLoblaws
Chicken Breast (1kg)$8.99$9.49$10.97$14.99$15.99
Ground Beef, Lean (1kg)$10.49$10.29$10.99$12.99$13.49
Milk, 2% (4L)$5.27$5.27$5.38$5.89$5.99
Eggs, Large (1 dozen)$3.47$3.39$3.27$4.19$4.29
Wonder Bread (675g)$2.99$2.99$3.17$3.79$3.89
Bananas (1kg)$1.52$1.52$1.52$1.74$1.74
Romaine Lettuce (1 head)$2.49$2.79$2.99$3.49$3.29
Kraft Dinner (225g)$1.49$1.29$1.47$1.99$2.29
Basket Total$36.71$37.03$39.76$49.05$50.96

Source: eezly real-time price tracking, as of September 2026


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Best Grocery Deals in Toronto This Week

Beyond everyday low prices, weekly sales flyers offer the best opportunity to save. We've scanned the deals across all major Toronto banners to find the most significant discounts available. These promotions often feature savings of 30% or more, making it worthwhile to plan your shopping trips around them.

ProductSale PriceRegular PriceSavingsStoreView Deal
Chicken Breast (1kg)$8.99$13.9935.7%No FrillsLink
Coca-Cola (12x355ml)$5.99$8.4929.4%WalmartLink
Black Diamond Cheese (400g)$4.44$7.2939.1%Food BasicsLink
Delissio Pizza (frozen)$3.99$6.9942.9%FreshcoLink
Royale Bathroom Tissue (24=72 rolls)$14.97$23.9937.6%Real Canadian SuperstoreLink
Avocadoes (bag of 5)$3.49$5.9941.7%MetroLink
Salmon Fillets (fresh, per lb)$9.99/lb$14.99/lb33.3%LoblawsLink
Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream (500ml)$4.99$7.4933.4%SobeysLink

Source: eezly real-time price tracking, as of September 2026

How Toronto Prices Compare to the Ontario Average

A common question is whether living in Canada's largest city means paying more for groceries. Our analysis reveals a nuanced answer. While individual items at full-service stores like Loblaws and Metro can be more expensive, the strong presence and competitive pricing of discount banners like No Frills, Food Basics, and Freshco exert downward pressure on the city's overall average.

The average cost for our sample basket across the five surveyed Toronto stores is $42.70. This is slightly less than the calculated Ontario-wide average of $43.10 for the same basket. This suggests that while you can certainly spend more on groceries in Toronto if you shop exclusively at premium stores, strategic shoppers have access to prices that are on par with, or even better than, the provincial average. Your personal grocery inflation rate in Toronto is largely a function of which stores you choose to patronize.

Money-Saving Tips for Toronto Shoppers

Controlling your grocery budget in Toronto is achievable with the right strategies. Here are six actionable tips to help you save money every week.

1. Prioritize Discount Banners

As our data shows, the single most effective way to lower your grocery bill is to do the bulk of your shopping at discount stores. Making No Frills or Food Basics your primary store can save you over $700 annually on our small sample basket alone. The savings scale up significantly with a full grocery list.

2. Use a Real-Time Price Comparison Tool

Prices and promotions change weekly. Manually checking every flyer is time-consuming and inefficient. Use an AI-powered tool like eezly to instantly compare prices for every item on your list across all 27 major Canadian banners. This allows you to build a shopping list that cherry-picks the best deals from each store.

3. Plan Meals Around Key Sales

Instead of deciding what to eat and then finding the ingredients, reverse the process. Look at the best deals for the week—like chicken breast at $8.99/kg or salmon at $9.99/lb—and plan your meals around those featured proteins and produce. This strategy, easily managed with tools like eezly's AI-powered meal planner, ensures you're always buying what's most affordable.

4. Leverage Loyalty Programs Strategically

Toronto shoppers have access to two major loyalty programs: PC Optimum (Loblaws, No Frills, Real Canadian Superstore) and Scene+ (Sobeys, Freshco, Foodland). Pay attention to personalized digital offers and in-store bonus point events. Earning points on purchases at a premium store like Loblaws can sometimes be redeemed for free groceries at its discount counterpart, No Frills, creating a powerful savings loop.

5. Stock Up on Non-Perishables

When you see a deep discount on a non-perishable item you use regularly—like the Royale Bathroom Tissue or Coca-Cola in this week's deals—buy in bulk if you have the storage space. A 30-40% saving on these items is significant, and it protects you from future price increases.

6. Don't Ignore Unit Pricing

The largest package isn't always the best value. Always check the unit price (e.g., price per 100g or per roll) listed on the shelf tag. This allows for an accurate, apples-to-apples comparison between different brands and package sizes, ensuring you're getting the most product for your money.

Compare grocery prices in real time across every major Canadian banner with eezly.

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Comparison

Item (Unit)No FrillsFood BasicsWalmartMetroLoblaws
Chicken Breast (1kg)$8.99$9.49$10.97$14.99$15.99
Ground Beef, Lean (1kg)$10.49$10.29$10.99$12.99$13.49
Milk, 2% (4L)$5.27$5.27$5.38$5.89$5.99
Eggs, Large (1 dozen)$3.47$3.39$3.27$4.19$4.29
Wonder Bread (675g)$2.99$2.99$3.17$3.79$3.89
Bananas (1kg)$1.52$1.52$1.52$1.74$1.74
Romaine Lettuce (1 head)$2.49$2.79$2.99$3.49$3.29
Kraft Dinner (225g)$1.49$1.29$1.47$1.99$2.29
Basket Total$36.71$37.03$39.76$49.05$50.96

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest grocery store in Toronto?

Based on our September 2026 analysis of a basket of 8 staple items, No Frills is the cheapest grocery store in Toronto with a total basket cost of $36.71. Food Basics is a very close second at $37.03.

How much does a week of groceries cost in Toronto?

The cost varies significantly depending on where you shop. Our sample basket of common staples costs as little as $36.71 at a discount store like No Frills, but can be as high as $50.96 at a premium store like Loblaws. A family's full weekly shop will be a multiple of this, but the percentage difference remains similar.

How can I find the best grocery deals in Toronto this week?

The most effective method is to use a real-time price intelligence platform. According to eezly's AI-powered tracking, this week's top deals include chicken breast for $8.99/kg at No Frills and Delissio pizza for $3.99 at Freshco. These platforms aggregate all flyer and in-store deals automatically.

Are groceries more expensive in downtown Toronto compared to the suburbs?

While rents can lead to higher operating costs for downtown stores, the intense competition between banners means downtown residents still have access to discount options. Locations for No Frills, Food Basics, and Freshco are accessible throughout the city, including via the TTC. Using a price comparison tool allows you to find these low-cost options regardless of your neighbourhood, mitigating any potential "downtown premium."

How can AI help me save money on groceries in Toronto?

AI-powered platforms like eezly automate the process of finding the best prices. The technology scans 196,000 products across 2,700 stores, including all Toronto locations for banners like Loblaws, Metro, and Walmart. It can then generate an optimized shopping list that tells you exactly where to buy each item for the lowest total cost or create an entire [meal plan](https://eezly.com/meal-plans) based on the week's best sales.

Which Toronto grocery store has the best deals on meat this week?

This week, the best value on poultry is at No Frills, which offers boneless, skinless chicken breast for $8.99/kg. For lean ground beef, Food Basics has the lowest price at $10.29/kg. For fish, Loblaws has a notable deal on fresh salmon fillets at $9.99/lb. Prices change weekly, so it's best to check a real-time source.

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