Chapman’s Ice Cream, an Ontario-based ice cream company, has announced plans to substitute over 70% of its American ingredients with Canadian or non-U.S. sources. This decision comes amidst the ongoing trade tensions between Canada and the United States. Despite the shift in suppliers, the family-owned company has committed to maintaining its current prices for ice cream until March 2028.
The transition away from American suppliers began in March 2025 following the imposition of tariffs by the Trump administration. CEO Ashley Chapman emphasized the company’s dedication to avoiding price increases and its proactive approach to finding alternative sources. Chapman expressed these sentiments during an interview with CBC’s London Morning.
Chapman’s Ice Cream aims to complete the replacement of over 70% of its American ingredients by mid-2027. A significant aspect of this change involves the production of sugar cones, as there are no industrial sugar cone manufacturers in Canada. To address this, Chapman’s partnered with Original Foods, a company based in Dunville, Ontario, to establish a Canadian cone line.
President Steeve Tremblay of Original Foods highlighted the importance of supporting local manufacturing to strengthen Canada’s economy and reduce dependency on external sources. The agreement between the two companies has been finalized, with equipment procurement underway. However, challenges such as delays due to unique Canadian regulations have been acknowledged.
Chapman’s Ice Cream is also relocating the production of wafers for its ice cream sandwiches to Canada and sourcing ingredients like almonds from Australia and cherries from Chile. The company’s strategic decisions align with a broader trend among Canadian businesses to reassess domestic production in response to trade disputes.
Ashley Chapman emphasized the positive impact of these changes, noting unexpected cost savings and the discovery of new opportunities. He expressed confidence in the company’s ability to navigate through these transformations successfully. Chapman’s Ice Cream remains committed to using 100% Canadian dairy in its products as part of its ongoing efforts to support local suppliers and enhance production efficiency.
