No country for alcohol sales – but then Canada got lucky
Alcohol sales in Canada have declined for the fourth consecutive year, with a 3% drop reported between March 2024 and March 2025. Despite this trend, Canadian producers of wine, spirits, and beer have found a lifeline due to boycotts of U.S. alcohol products. The Ontario government’s actions have led to significant growth in local alcohol sales, providing a boost to Canadian producers amidst a challenging market.
- ▪Statistics Canada reported a 3% decline in alcohol sales volume across Canada from March 2024 to March 2025.
- ▪Total alcohol-related revenues fell by 4.2% to $13.1 billion, marking the largest annual decrease since tracking began in 2004/2005.
- ▪Ontario's boycott of U.S. alcohol has resulted in a 60% increase in sales of Ontario wine by July 2025.
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Open this photo in gallery:A government-run liquor store in Vancouver in August, 2022. Boycotts of U.S. alcohol products in have given Canadian wine, spirit and beer makers a lifeline.DARRYL DYCK/The Canadian PressShareSave for laterPlease log in to bookmark this story.Log InCreate Free AccountJohn Turley-Ewart is a contributing columnist for The Globe and Mail, a regulatory compliance consultant and a Canadian banking historian.There’s a joke making the rounds right now at many bars. One fella says to another: “I lost two friends last year.
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