Ontario-made alcohol products smash sales records at LCBOs

Ontario-made products have smashed sales records at local LCBOs.

According to an official release from the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) — due to a recent incentive — Ontario-made alcohol has seen a major expansion on store shelves.

While not stated outright in the release, recent ‘buy local’ initiatives across numerous markets have been in full swing throughout the province for a little over a year, mainly in response to the removal of U.S. products due to tariff tensions from the Trump presidency.

As a result, within the last calendar year, LCBO reps have stated that in partnership with brewers, vintners, and distillers, there are now 291 new Ontario VQA wines, 338 new Ontario craft beers and other products dominating store shelves.

“Over the past year and a half, we’ve seen incredible support for Ontario and Canadian products, and we’ve expanded our selection to make it even easier to shop local,” said Aaron Campbell, Interim President and CEO of LCBO, in an official statement.

Numbers from the LCBO showed that Ontario-made spirits saw a 9 per cent increase in sales, while beer and ready-to-drink beverage sales each increased 25 per cent.

As for VQA wines, produced in Ontario’s wine country, a 44 per cent increase in sales was marked across the board.

When tallied, Ontario beers, wines and spirits have lent themselves to a substantial chunk of half a billion dollars in sales across the country.

“From new dedicated local product sections in our stores to providing top-of-the-line training to our employees on our Ontario-made beverage offerings, LCBO is working hard to support the local communities we work in and serve,” added Campbell.

LCBO stated that they will continue to support local producers and continue to expand initiatives that put more local products on shelves here at home and across Canada.

[Headline photo, Robert Okine]