New U.S. duties on honey may have adverse effects on honey producers in Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent, even if they do not directly sell to the U.S. Mike Davidson, who owns Summer’s Gold Honey Company in Chatham-Kent, explained that the issue stems from major Canadian honey producers in the Prairies potentially redirecting their sales to Ontario. This shift could lead to a decline in honey prices, making it challenging for small producers to sustain their operations.
Davidson highlighted the scenario where western beekeepers, particularly from Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan, may flood the Ontario market with their honey at reduced prices, putting pressure on local beekeepers to match those prices despite having smaller crop sizes.
In addition to producing honey, Davidson’s company also distributes honey from other producers. He mentioned that if prices decrease, he would opt for the cheaper western honey to remain competitive. However, this move could disadvantage local producers and allow larger producers to dominate the market further.
Honey, among other items, is slated to face a 50% U.S. import tariff if a trade agreement is not reached by August 19. In 2025, Canada exported nearly $28.5 million worth of honey to the U.S., accounting for almost 12% of the country’s total honey production valued at around $241 million.
Hawksview Honey, a natural and sustainable honey producer based in Harrow, expressed concerns about the potential influx of western honey into the Ontario market due to the tariffs, leading to a drop in prices and a challenge for local smaller producers.
According to Rod Scarlett, the executive director of the Canadian Honey Council, significant changes in the industry may not be immediate, as most honey exports to the U.S. for this year have already been shipped. Scarlett emphasized that Canada currently imports more honey than it exports, as per a report by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
Scarlett advocated for Ottawa to implement retaliatory tariffs on U.S. honey and increase monitoring of honey imports due to issues with adulterated honey being detected. This measure could help sustain domestic honey production and ensure a reliable supply for consumers.
Lorne Prins, vice-chair of the Canadian Honey Council and an Alberta beekeeper, noted that the Canadian honey market has nuances, with different regions producing honey of varying colors and characteristics. This diversity may limit the direct competition between surplus honey from one region and consumer preferences in another.
Overall, the honey industry faces challenges from the impending U.S. tariffs, which could reshape market dynamics and impact local producers in Canada.
