Canadian consumer boycott of U.S. products reshapes supermarket sourcing
Canadian grocers are expanding origin labels and sourcing more domestic produce as consumer pressure to avoid U.S. goods intensifies.
Toronto, Canada. A growing consumer campaign to buy Canadian products and boycott U.S. goods is reshaping supermarket shelves, prompting grocers to improve country-of-origin labels and find new sources of supply.
The movement has intensified amid a trade dispute between Canada and the United States, increasing consumer scrutiny of where their money is spent.
Grocers respond to consumer pressure
Giancarlo Trimarchi, president of independent grocer Vince’s Market in Ontario, posted on Facebook to show customers that most produce sold in his stores is Canadian after receiving angry emails and comments about U.S. produce.
Trimarchi said the campaign is more aggressive than it was last year. His four stores across the Greater Toronto Area now stock about 90% Canadian produce, including strawberries sourced from Quebec rather than the United States.
He said the changes have increased operating costs and led the company to reduce its advertising budget.
“We were always put in a position where you had to balance quality versus price. Now it’s quality versus price versus country of origin,” Trimarchi said.
Trade dispute fuels movement
“Buy Canadian” movements began last year after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on Canadian goods. They have intensified in recent weeks after trade talks broke down and Trump signed an executive order to change the name of Lake Ontario to Lake America.
Trump told reporters in Dublin on Saturday that Canada was eager to reach a trade agreement with the United States and that a deal could come “fairly soon.” He repeated complaints that Canada had treated U.S. farmers unfairly and should remove tariffs.
Retailers expand product identification
Loblaw Cos L.TO, Canada’s largest food retailer, reinstated large maple leaf signs in its produce and fresh-food sections in August after a brief hiatus to identify Canadian products.
The company also reintroduced a “T” tag to inform customers which products are affected by tariffs and to make Canadian products easier to identify.
Metro, Canada’s third-largest grocer, said it would continue to prioritise local Canadian products in the current context.
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