South Australia sold an extra $6.4 million of wine thanks to Trump’s tariffs against Canada. Photo: Department of Primary Industries and Regions, South Australian Government.
The South Australian Labor Government is moving to strategise to respond to US tariffs, with the Canadian wine market standing out as a significant opportunity.
ABS trade data reveals that South Australian wine exporters and producers sold an extra $6.4 million of wine (a 15.6 per cent increase) to Canada in the five months following the nation’s largest liquor retailer making the decision to remove US wine from its stock.
The stats show that the Malinauskas Government’s campaign in April to promote South Australian wine was a success and the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) has accepted large quantities of Australian wine following a high-level delegation led by Minister Joe Szakacs.
Following Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canada, the LCBO made the decision to remove US wine from its shelves, leading to a gap in the market which South Australia filled.
“We acted quickly and decisively in response to the LCBO’s decision to ensure we delivered the best opportunities for our state’s wine industry,” Minister for Trade and Investment Joe Szakacs said.
“The wheels were in motion immediately to launch a promotional campaign into LCBO stores and we haven’t let up since.”
Minister Szakacs was joined by SA Wine Industry Association CEO Inca Lee and seven wine exporters on his visit to Canada, alongside representatives from Wirra Wirra, Mollydooker and Angove Family Winemakers.
Stats from LCBO revealed that Australian wine sales had jumped 15 per cent since US wines were removed, representing the highest jump of any nation, with South Australian wineries making up three quarters of all Australian wine sold.
“It was important to be in market with our industry to make sure we’re building those relationships with importers and to get South Australian wine on the consciousness and on the palate of Canadian consumers,” Minister Szakacs said.
Between April and August, $47.5 million of South Australian wine was sold, compared to $41.1 million in the same period last year, before tariffs.
