The Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation has taken action to remove American alcohol products from its shelves in response to the ongoing trade conflict with the United States. This move has led to the warehousing of nearly 600,000 units of alcohol, including various sizes ranging from mini bottles of hard liquor to large wine bottles.
The total retail value of the stored American alcohol is approximately $14.9 million. The decision to remove American alcohol was made after President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on Canadian goods. Despite initial plans to pull U.S. alcohol being paused earlier, the NSLC proceeded with the removal in early March.
Notably, some well-known beer brands perceived as American, such as Budweiser and Coors, are actually produced in Canada and were not included in the list of products removed. The NSLC declined to reveal the storage location of the American alcohol for security reasons.
Products like Southern Comfort and Goldschläger were briefly removed from shelves before it was realized they were produced in Montreal and Canada, respectively. Bacardi, a rum manufacturer, clarified that its products are from Puerto Rico and thus remain available for sale through the NSLC.
Sales data indicated that the ban on American alcohol has boosted sales of local and Canadian products, including Nova Scotia wine and spirits. The NSLC plans to continue the ban until directed otherwise by the province.
Local distillers like Compass Distillers have seen increased sales, particularly in rum, as consumers show a preference for local and Canadian products. Private wine and specialty stores in the province are also affected by the ban on American products, as the NSLC will no longer purchase U.S. products on their behalf.
Overall, the decision to remove American alcohol has led to increased sales for local producers and a shift in consumer behavior towards purchasing Canadian and locally-made products.