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Hamilton Spectator
2 days ago
- 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.'
CTV News
2 days ago
- CTV News
Two men face 35 charges in $300K LCBO alcohol theft ring
Video Two men face a combined 35 charges in an LCBO alcohol theft ring worth about $300K.
Toronto Sun
2 days ago
- Toronto Sun
Two men face dozens of charges for LCBO thefts in Peel Region
Simarpreet Singh, 29, is one of two Brampton men accused of a string of LCBO thefts in Peel Region. Photo by Handout / Peel Regional Police Two men face dozens of charges for allegedly stealing $300,00 worth of booze from LCBO stores in Peel Region. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Peel Regional Police allege Anuj Kumar, 25, is responsible for an extensive number of thefts from various LCBO stores. And Simarpreet Singh, 29, is also believed to have been involved in the coordinated thefts, police claim. Kumar and Singh, both of Brampton, face a total of 35 charges that include theft, possession of property obtained by crime, and drug-related offences. Anuj Kumar, 25,is one of two Brampton men accused of a string of LCBO thefts in Peel Region. Photo by Handout / Peel Regional Police Police say the investigation is ongoing, and more arrests and charges are anticipated. Read More Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to call police at 905-453-2121, ext. 2133, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Editorial Cartoons Columnists NHL Sunshine Girls Toronto Maple Leafs
CTV News
2 days ago
- CTV News
2 Brampton men charged in ‘prolific' $300K LCBO theft ring, police say
25-year-old Anuj Kumar (left) and 29-year-old Simarpreet Singh charged by Peel police in connection to $300K LCBO theft ring. Peel Regional Police say they have charged two men from Brampton in connection with a series of organized retail thefts targeting LCBO locations across the region — with losses totaling an estimated $300,000. It's unclear when these thefts took place or how many stores were targeted but as a result of the investigation, officials say they have laid a combined total of 35 charges against two individuals. Anuj Kumar, 25, is alleged to be the primary suspect in an 'extensive number of thefts' while Simarpreet Singh, 29, is also accused of participating in the 'coordinated crimes,' police say. Investigators with the 21 Division Community Intervention Response Team say all charges are related to theft, possession of property obtained by crime, and drug offences. Both accused were held for bail hearings. Officials note more arrests and charges are expected as the investigation continues.
CTV News
2 days ago
- CTV News
2 Brampton men charged in $300K LCBO theft ring, police say
25-year-old Anuj Kumar (left) and 29-year-old Simarpreet Singh charged by Peel police in connection to $300K LCBO theft ring. Peel Regional Police say they have charged two men from Brampton in connection with a series of organized retail thefts targeting LCBO locations across the region — with losses totaling an estimated $300,000. It's unclear when these thefts took place or how many stores were targeted but as a result of the investigation, officials say they have laid a combined total of 35 combined charges against two individuals. Anuj Kumar, 25, is alleged to be the primary suspect in an 'extensive number of thefts' while Simarpreet Singh, 29, is also accused of participating in the 'coordinated crimes,' police say. Investigators with the 21 Division Community Intervention Response Team say all charges are related to theft, possession of property obtained by crime, and drug offences. Both accused were held for bail hearings. Officials note more arrests and charges are expected as the investigation continues.
