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U.S. Spirits Exports to Canada Collapse 85% as Canadian Visits to America Plunge

Lingering provincial restrictions, coupled with traveler unease, are inflicting immediate pain on small distillers and tourism operators.

Cedar Ridge Distillery in Swisher, Iowa.
"Buy Canadian Instead" signs are placed on shelves at a liquor store in Vancouver.
U.S. President Donald Trump (C-R) speaks to reporters alongside Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney (C-L) in the Oval Office of the White House on October 7, 2025 in Washington, DC.
Passengers wait at Toronto Pearson International Airport in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, in August.

Overview

  • Statistics Canada figures show Canadian land visits to the United States down about 31% through September, with air travel off roughly 13%.
  • The Distilled Spirits Council reports U.S. spirits exports to Canada fell 85% in the second quarter.
  • Multiple provinces continue to keep American spirits off shelves, choking market access for small producers such as Virginia Distillery, which says sales collapsed to zero.
  • Cross-border operators are cutting back, with Clipper Navigation reducing schedules after a roughly 30% ridership drop and laying off about a quarter of its staff.
  • Industry leaders cite fears of tougher border checks even as Canada removes some tariffs and recent White House talks cool tensions, leaving the outlook uncertain.