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Canadian state wholesaler wants Irish whiskey to replace US spirits in 25,000 outlets, agriculture minister says
Canadian state wholesaler wants Irish whiskey to replace US spirits in 25,000 outlets, agriculture minister says

Irish Independent

time6 days ago

  • Business
  • Irish Independent

Canadian state wholesaler wants Irish whiskey to replace US spirits in 25,000 outlets, agriculture minister says

Canadian state wholesaler wants Irish whiskey to replace US spirits in 25,000 outlets, agriculture minister says Martin Heydon exploring potential deal in massive boost to the sector Martin Heydon has spoken to the Liquor Control Board of Ontario. Photo: Frank McGrath Fearghal O'Connor Today at 06:30 Ireland's embattled whiskey sector could fill the gap left on Canadian liquor shelves following the removal of US drinks products in reaction to Donald Trump's tariffs against America's northern neighbour, a key government-owned alcohol distributor has told the Irish Government.

LCBO wine sales fall as U.S. imports to Canada plunge 94%
LCBO wine sales fall as U.S. imports to Canada plunge 94%

Hamilton Spectator

time18-06-2025

  • Business
  • Hamilton Spectator

LCBO wine sales fall as U.S. imports to Canada plunge 94%

The spring of 2025 may be the first time that many Canadian wine-loving families have gone without a California red on their dinner table. As the largest export market for U.S. wines, Canada has seen imports come to a complete standstill amid a prevailing 'Buy Canada' sentiment , following U.S. President Donald Trump 's tariffs on his country's once closest ally, new Statistics Canada data shows. In April, the value of American wine imports plummeted to $2.9 million — a 94-per-cent drop from $53 million during the same period last year. Canada imported a monthly average value of American wines of $49.5 million in 2024, with the highest being last November at $73 million. Booze from our southern neighbour has not only been hit by the federal government's retaliatory tariffs, but has also faced bans and sales restrictions imposed by provincial and territorial governments, including removal from the shelves of Ontario liquor stores. And with American wines off the shelves, Ontarians appear to be drinking less wine overall. The Liquor Control Board of Ontario says total wine sales fell 13 per cent from early March to early June compared to the same period last year. The LCBO attributes the drop to several factors, including a trend toward moderation and the rising popularity of ready-to-drink beverages, but the agency did not mention the ban on U.S. alcohol. The impact has been felt across the California wine industry, which produces more than 90 per cent of the U.S.'s wine exports, said Natalie Collins, the president of the California Association of Winegrape Growers. 'Many wineries are not purchasing grapes from growers because they don't know if they're going to be able to off-load the current case goods that they have,' she said, adding that it is 'very unfortunate' that growers and wineries have been swept up as collateral damage in the Trump administration's trade war . The Canadian market is one where California wineries have invested for decades — building relationships with business owners and travelling coast to coast, said Honore Comfort, vice-president of international marketing at Wine Institute, which is an advocacy association of California wineries, in an email to the Star. 'We remain committed to that partnership and hopeful for the day we can return and be fully present in the Canadian market,' Comfort said. Michael Kaiser, executive vice-president of Wine America, said that in addition to the impacts being felt in California, wineries in Washington, Oregon and New York — all blue states — also expect revenue losses, with some producing wines specifically labelled for the Canadian market. While many could absorb the 25 per cent counter-tariffs, Kaiser said it was the individual provinces pulling products from shelves that truly hurt U.S. producers. 'We've been very clear with our government here about how important the Canadian market is,' said Kaiser. 'It's our hope that this can be resolved without a further escalation.' Last week, Alberta and Saskatchewan appeared to soften their hardline stance by announcing they would resume purchasing U.S. alcohol, while Ontario and Nova Scotia continue to stand their ground. The news feels largely 'symbolic,' said Scott Adair, the president of The Wine Syndicate, a B.C.-based importer, which has not placed any new orders in Alberta, citing demand for U.S. wine as down about 80 per cent from the same period last year. 'Even if we were able to import, we wouldn't, because the market for American wine has completely collapsed,' Adair said. He says he still has $325,000 worth of American wine in B.C. that he can't sell and is accumulating storage fees. Paul Speck, the president of FWM Canada, an Ontario-based alcohol importer, echoed the sentiment and said he continues to hear the 'loud and clear messages' from restaurants and retailers that customers are not interested in American products. Speck also owns the family winery Henry of Pelham in Niagara Falls, where sales of his red Cabernet Merlot rose sharply after California wines were pulled from shelves. LCBO says wines made from Ontario-grown grapes, known as VQA wines, have seen sales rise by more than 60 per cent, while Australian and New Zealand wines have also experienced a bump in sales since the removal of U.S. products. Adair expects that even if tariffs are lifted in the coming months, brand damage to U.S. wines will linger for two to three years due to lasting shifts in consumer behaviour toward wines from other regions. 'As long as Trump keeps talking about Canada's 51st state, you're still going to see that consumer backlash against American wines and spirits.'

Vintners and brewers thrilled with supports in Ontario budget
Vintners and brewers thrilled with supports in Ontario budget

Yahoo

time20-05-2025

  • Business
  • Yahoo

Vintners and brewers thrilled with supports in Ontario budget

TORONTO — Ontario's vintners and brewers are thrilled with the support provided by the province in its latest budget, saying it helps stabilize the industry in uncertain times. The province is set to launch the Ontario Grape Support program that will double the percentage of Ontario grapes in blended wine. The $175-million program, to be doled out over five years, is expected to lead to thousands of tonnes of Ontario grapes making their way into the international-domestic blends and provide a safety net for wineries and farmers, said Aaron Dobbin, the president of Wine Growers Ontario. "This is a huge day for us," Dobbin said. Currently, blended wines must contain at least 25 per cent Ontario grapes, which are then blended with wine from other countries such as Italy, France and the United States. Blended wines are cheaper compared to traditional wines and offer Ontario vintners and grape growers the ability to compete with international wines that go for $10 a bottle. "It will significantly increase demand for Ontario grapes, which will help farmers," Dobbin said. Those wines are made with hardier Ontario grapes, which can help when catastrophe strikes. "You can grow them in higher volumes and they're not as susceptible to Mother Nature," he said. Details of the program are still being ironed out, Dobbin said. The province is also expanding the Vintners Quality Alliance wine support program, an $84-million annual fund that helps wineries grow their business. The program provides rebates back to wineries when their products are bought at Liquor Control Board of Ontario stores. Now the rebate will be expanded to sales at wineries. "Particularly those smaller wineries that rely heavily on gate sales, it's a big, big deal for them," Dobbin said. Craft brewers are also applauding the province's moves to help their sector. The province is providing relief to microbreweries by cutting the microbrew tax rate and the Liquor Control Board of Ontario mark-up rate by 50 per cent each. The moves have created stability in the industry, said Natasha Fritzley, president of Cowbell Brewing in Blyth, Ont., and a board member of Ontario Craft Brewers, a trade association that represents more than 100 small, independent brewers. "Was I happy and thrilled with what the government delivered on for us? We really all truly were, it's very meaningful," Fritzley said. "This will drive tourism, this will grow jobs here in Ontario." Fritzley said the tax changes are so important because it sent a signal from the province that Ontario is a place a business can grow. "We're investing immediately in a 10,000-square-foot warehouse in Blyth and in a pasteurizer for our products with this news," she said. "What it does is it gives us that breathing room and confidence to say, 'Hey, this is an environment that we're willing to invest in despite the unknown,'" Fritzley said. "And there are a lot of unknowns right now." U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs and his ongoing trade war with much of the world has affected Canada's booze industry, largely through the tariff on Canadian aluminum. While the metal is made in Canada, it is then shipped to the U.S. to be turned into beer cans or lids before being shipped back. But that has led to wildly different prices as suppliers and brokers try to figure out how to implement the tariffs, Fritzley said. The tariffs have also caused instability, she said. But Trump's moves are also spurring more Ontarians to buy from Ontario businesses, she said, though her shop hasn't seen an increase in sales yet. But there could be more business coming. In response to Trump, Ontario Premier Doug Ford has tabled legislation that, when passed, will open up free trade with other provinces. Alcohol has long been a sticking point between provinces, but Ontario's new rules will allow direct-to-consumer sales with other provinces that have reciprocating laws. Ford has signed free trade memorandums of understanding with Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Manitoba to allow for direct-to-consumer alcohol sales. He hopes to sign bilateral deals with each remaining province and territory within the coming months. That should open up new sales channels for wine and beer makers. "For those smaller wineries who are focused on higher priced wines, it'll be particularly helpful for them in creating a channel that they can take advantage of," Dobbin said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 20, 2025. Liam Casey, The Canadian Press Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data

Vintners and brewers thrilled with supports in Ontario budget
Vintners and brewers thrilled with supports in Ontario budget

Hamilton Spectator

time20-05-2025

  • Business
  • Hamilton Spectator

Vintners and brewers thrilled with supports in Ontario budget

TORONTO - Ontario's vintners and brewers say they are thrilled with the support provided by the province in its latest budget. The province is set to launch the Ontario Grape Support program that will double the percentage of Ontario grapes in blended wine. Wine Growers Ontario says the program will be a boon to wineries and grape farmers because blended wine is a safety net for the industry as it uses much hardier crops. The province is also providing relief to microbreweries by cutting the microbrew tax rate and the Liquor Control Board of Ontario mark-up rate by 50 per cent each. Ontario Craft Brewers says the tax cuts are a game changer for its members. Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy says the changes will help grow the craft beer and wine industries across the province. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 20, 2025.

Vintners and brewers thrilled with supports in Ontario budget
Vintners and brewers thrilled with supports in Ontario budget

Global News

time20-05-2025

  • Business
  • Global News

Vintners and brewers thrilled with supports in Ontario budget

Ontario's vintners and brewers say they are thrilled with the support provided by the province in its latest budget. The province is set to launch the Ontario Grape Support program that will double the percentage of Ontario grapes in blended wine. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Wine Growers Ontario says the program will be a boon to wineries and grape farmers because blended wine is a safety net for the industry as it uses much hardier crops. The province is also providing relief to microbreweries by cutting the microbrew tax rate and the Liquor Control Board of Ontario mark-up rate by 50 per cent each. Ontario Craft Brewers says the tax cuts are a game changer for its members. Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy says the changes will help grow the craft beer and wine industries across the province.

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