Sapporo beer moving production to U.S. from Canada on tariffs

Skip to Content News Archives Economy Energy Oil & Gas Renewables Electric Vehicles Mining Commodities Agriculture Real Estate Mortgages Mortgage Rates Finance Banking Insurance Fintech Cryptocurrency Work Wealth Smart Money Wealth Management Investor Personal Finance Family Finance Retirement Taxes High Net Worth FP Comment Executive Women Puzzmo Newsletters Financial Times Business Essentials More Innovation Information Technology FP500 Podcasts Small Business Lives Told Tails Told Shopping Financial Post Store Obituaries Place a Notice Advertising Advertising With Us Advertising Solutions Postmedia Ad Manager Sponsorship Requests Classifieds Place a Classifieds ad Working Profile Settings My Subscriptions My Offers Newsletters Customer Service FAQ News Economy Energy Mining Real Estate Finance Work Wealth Investor FP Comment Executive Women Puzzmo Newsletters Financial Times Business Essentials This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.HomeNewsRetail & MarketingSapporo beer moving production to U.S. from Canada on tariffs'The US is a huge market, and we have a lot of momentum right now in terms of how much we can expand our share of that market'Author of the article:Sapporo will move production of non-alcoholic beer currently made in Canada for the U.S. market by the first half of 2027. Photo by Alex Tai/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty ImagesSapporo Breweries Ltd. is shifting some production to the United States from Canada due to 50 per cent tariffs imposed on beer exports from the country, seeking to reinvigorate its North American operations.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLYSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESCreate an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountThe Japanese brewer, which makes the top-selling Asian beer in the U.S., is also considering adding manufacturing capacity on the West Coast as it seeks to expand its flagship brand in one of its biggest overseas markets, chief strategy officer Rieko Shofu said in an interview.U.S. President Donald Trump’s levies on beer made in Canada are the latest twist for the Japanese brewer. The production shift plans are part of a broader revamp following years of acquisitions that failed to deliver sufficient returns. The company sold Stone Brewing in 2022 and liquidated Anchor Brewing in 2023.Breaking business news, incisive views, must-reads and market signals. Weekdays by 9 a.m.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Posthaste will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again“Tariffs are something out of our control,” Shofu said. “We’re going to move ahead with local production.”Sapporo will move production of non-alcoholic beer currently made in Canada for the U.S. market by the first half of 2027. Sapporo is considering acquiring or building a brewery on the West Coast, or contracting with other manufacturers, the executive said. Rieko Shofu, in Tokyo on Sept. 3. Photo by BloombergU.S. tariffs of 50 per cent on about US$20 billion worth of Canadian goods took effect on Aug. 22. Canada’s retaliatory tariffs of 15 per cent to 50 per cent on hundreds of U.S. products went into effect Tuesday.“The US is a huge market, and we have a lot of momentum right now in terms of how much we can expand our share of that market,” Shofu said.Shares of Sapporo were up one per cent in Tokyo trading Tuesday, while rival beermakers Kirin Holdings Co. and Asahi Group Holdings Ltd. were down or unchanged, in line with the broader Topix Index.The brewer is accelerating investments in its beer business after deciding last year to sell its real estate business. Sapporo plans to spend ¥300 billion to ¥400 billion (US$1.9 billion-US$2.6 billion) on investments, including acquisitions, through 2030 as it seeks to grow operating profit to ¥40 billion from around ¥24 billion last year. Roughly 30 per cent of that is targeted to come from overseas.Asia is another focus. Sapporo announced a venture with Carlsberg A/S in July to expand in Southeast Asia. The company is also seeking investment opportunities in China and South Korea, according to Shofu.At home, where Sapporo is the No. 4 beermaker, the company faces a different challenge as Japan’s shrinking population weighs on long-term alcohol consumption. Shofu said the company has a “considerable sense of urgency” about the domestic market and isn’t ruling out greater supply-chain cooperation with rivals over the longer term.We apologize, but this video has failed to load.This advertisement has not loaded yet.Notice for the Postmedia NetworkThis website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.