Business · Trade · 14 hrs ago
U.S. tariffs threaten Canadian cheese sales and award-winning momentum
Canadian cheese makers have built momentum in the U.S. in recent years, with Canadian cheeses winning major awards at the American Cheese Society’s annual competition.
Quebec’s Fromagerie la Station won best in show in both 2024 and 2025.
A 50 per cent U.S. tariff now applies to some dairy products, including Canadian cheese.
The tariff took effect in August, and an American importer says higher prices have slowed demand for Canadian cheese.
If customers buy less, shops may stop carrying it, costing producers valuable shelf space.
Canada’s dairy quota system limits how much milk producers supply, which the importer says helps support stable farms and high-quality milk for cheese.
Democrats say they will work to revoke the tariffs after their midterm election gains.
U.S. tariffs of 50 per cent on certain dairy products, including Canadian cheese, are reducing demand for Canadian cheese in the United States, an importer says.
Canadian cheeses have won major awards in recent years, including Fromagerie la Station’s best-in-show wins in 2024 and 2025.
Importers say the awards raised interest in Canadian artisanal cheese among U.S. customers.
The tariffs took effect in August, and cheese industry stakeholders say higher prices threaten sales and shelf placement.
Trump has criticized Canada’s dairy supply-management system, while an importer says the system supports milk quality and farm stability.
- Who
- Canadian cheese makers and U.S. importers, including James Hanly, are affected.
- What
- U.S. tariffs of 50 per cent on certain dairy products, including Canadian cheese, are threatening sales momentum.
- When
- The tariffs took effect in August; the article was published on November 8, 2026.
- Where
- Canadian cheese sales in the United States are affected.
- Why
- The tariffs raise prices, which can reduce demand and lead shops and markets to stop carrying the cheese.
Trump and tariff supporters
Canadian cheese industry stakeholders and importers
Canada’s dairy system
Trump and tariff supporters
Trump has criticized Canada’s supply-management system as unfair to U.S. dairy farmers and says it restricts U.S. dairy access to Canada.
Canadian cheese industry stakeholders and importers
Importer James Hanly says Canada’s system supports stable family farms and high-quality milk used for cheese.
Tariffs
Trump and tariff supporters
The U.S. imposed a 50 per cent tariff on certain dairy products, including Canadian cheese.
Canadian cheese industry stakeholders and importers
Importers say the higher prices are reducing demand and threatening the cheese’s market placement.
Quebec’s Fromagerie la Station won best in show at the American Cheese Society’s annual competition.
Fromagerie la Station repeated its best-in-show win.
U.S. tariffs on certain dairy products, including Canadian cheese, took effect.
Importer James Hanly said demand for Canadian cheese trailed off because of the price increase.
- Tariff rate
- 50 per cent on certain dairy products, including Canadian cheese
- Tariff start
- August
- Award winner
- Fromagerie la Station, Quebec
- Best-in-show wins
- 2024 and 2025
- Importer
- James Hanly, Provisions International in Vermont
What people are saying
If the price becomes too expensive and customers stop buying it, and so the cheese shop or market stops bringing it in as well, you basically lose placement.
You know, people get excited about something new that is also shown to be high quality and delicious.
In the U.S, it's been a race to the bottom, trying to get the maximum amount of milk at the least amount of cost, which ends up producing lower quality milk that you can't use for cheese production.