Ontarian spirits sales up 8% in LCBO
The Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) has reported an 8% increase in sales of locally produced spirits in the last 12 months as it expands access to Canadian products.
Over the past year, the government-controlled liquor board said it had worked with local distilleries, breweries and wineries to bring their products to its shelves.
As such, the LCBO now lists 291 new Ontarian VQA wines (of Vintners Quality Alliance standard) and 338 beers made in the province. The LCBO did not mention the number of new spirits.
In total, there are now more than 5,200 Canadian products available to Ontarians, a ‘record number’, according to the LCBO. This figure includes 1,600 Ontarian-made alcoholic drinks.
The move to promote Canadian and Ontarian products follows a trade dispute with the US, which has resulted in a ban on American alcohol from all but two provinces since March 2025.
The LCBO said Canadian and Ontarian alcoholic product sales have grown significantly in the last year. Canadian products have risen by 18% from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026 compared to the same period in 2024/2025.
In addition, Ontario-made alcohol was up by 20% over the past year to more than half a billion Canadian dollars (approximately US$350 million).
Sales of Ontarian ready-to-drink (RTD) products and beer have each increased by a quarter in the last 12 months, the LCBO noted.
“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, LCBO.
“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.”
Over the previous 12 months, LCBO claims to have boosted the presence of local brands, including launching its EH List. The list aims to highlight more than 3,000 Canadian products, covering spirits, wine, cider, beer and RTD cocktails.
The removal of US-made spirits from shelves has caused LCBO sales to fall by CA$100m (US$73.1m) according to its third-quarter (Q3) update for 12 October 2025 to 3 January 2026.
The LCBO’s top-selling spirit for Q3 was Smirnoff Vodka followed by Canadian whisky Crown Royal, which are both owned by Diageo.
Besides Crown Royal, LCBO’s top 10 biggest-selling spirits list includes two other Canadian products, JP Wiser’s whisky (backed by Pernod Ricard through its Corby Spirit & Wine arm) and Suntory-owned Canadian Club whisky.
LCBO’s top 10 RTD list for Q3 was led by Boston Beer Company’s Twisted Tea, with Corby’s Cottage Springs in second place and Mark Anthony Group’s hard seltzer brand White Claw in third.
US spirits exports to Canada have nosedived by 70% since their removal from most provinces last March.
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