Over A Year Into US Booze Boycott, Canadian-Made Alcohol Is Selling Better Than Ever

Ontario Premier Doug Ford speaks after signing an agreement with the Webequie First Nation at Queen’s Park in Toronto on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)

Ontario’s government-run liquor store chain claims that it’s selling more Canadian alcohol than ever, over a year and a half after the province removed American booze from its shelves in protest of the Trump administration’s tariff threats.

According to a news release published by the LCBO, Canadian-made product sales have increased by 18% over the past year, while Ontario-made product sales have increased by over half a billion dollars, equal to around 20% growth. Wines have witnessed the most explosive gains, led by red wine (53%), white wine (42%) and rosés (27%). Ontario-made spirits reported a 9% increase, while beer and ready-to-drink beverages each saw increases of 25%.

Established favorites like Crown Royal aren’t the only ones enjoying the spoils. The LCBO says it’s introduced 291 new Ontario wines and 338 Ontario craft beers to shelves over the past year, upping the total count of Ontario-made products to 4,600 across the province.

When customers visit a liquor store, the ecosystem goes even deeper. Maple leaf symbols clearly demarcate which beverages are made in Canada and Ontario, and employees have reportedly been given specialized training on how to discuss and market local brands.

“Over the past year and a half, we’ve seen incredible support for Ontario and Canadian products, and we’ve expanded our selection to make it even easier to shop local,” Aaron Campbell, Interim President & CEO of the LCBO, remarked in the news release.

“From new dedicated local product sections in our stores to providing top of the line training to our employees on our Ontario-made beverage offerings, LCBO is working hard to support the local communities we work in and serve. As Ontarians gear up for Canada Day, they can celebrate with our biggest selection yet of local products that directly support their fellow Canadians.”

The news release didn’t mention Trump, the United States or anything relating to tariffs — though the context is clear as day to anyone who’s followed the long-unwinding saga.

In March 2025, Ontario Premier Doug Ford ordered the LCBO to remove American alcohol from its shelves in protest of President Trump’s proposed 25% tariff on Canadian imports. The LCBO is responsible for distributing alcohol to nearly 40% of Canada’s population, and it was estimated to have sold nearly $1 billion worth of American alcohol per year before the boycott.

American-made booze immediately fell victim to the trade war. According to the Distilled Spirits Council, liquor exports to Canada plunged by a dramatic 85% in the second quarter of 2025. Though a handful of provinces have resumed selling US alcohol in some form, heavy hitters like Ontario, British Columbia and Quebec have refused to restock.

Earlier this month, Premier Ford told reporters that he’ll happily rescind the ban if the Trump administration reaches a trade agreement with Canada.

“I just want to get this deal done, and I can assure you, once that deal is done, I’m going to be sitting down and bringing all the booze back on shelves in Ontario, and everyone’s going to be kumbaya,” Ford said, according to CTV News.