An ice cream company based in Ontario has announced plans to substitute over 70% of its American ingredients and commit to stable prices for the next two years.
Chapman’s Ice Cream is pivoting away from American suppliers amidst the ongoing trade tensions between Canada and the United States. The family-owned business has pledged not to raise its ice cream prices until March 2028.
The decision to seek alternatives to U.S. suppliers was initiated in March 2025, following the implementation of initial tariffs by the Trump administration, stated CEO Ashley Chapman during an interview with CBC’s London Morning.
The company is progressing towards replacing more than 70% of its American ingredients with Canadian or non-U.S. sources by mid-2027.
In a significant move, Chapman’s has partnered with Original Foods, a company based in Dunville, Ontario, to produce sugar cones domestically. This collaboration aims to establish Chapman’s as the sole Canadian company with a 100% Canadian cone line. President Steeve Tremblay expressed satisfaction in supporting the local economy and reducing reliance on foreign production.
The agreement between Chapman’s and Original Foods has been formalized, and equipment procurement from Germany is underway. However, delays have occurred due to Canada’s electricity registration requirements and bureaucratic processes that differ from European standards.
Tremblay intends to engage with other Canadian companies to foster more local partnerships. Additionally, Chapman’s is shifting the production of wafers for its ice cream sandwiches to Canada and sourcing ingredients like almonds from Australia and cherries from Chile.
Chapman emphasized that the trade dispute has prompted a reevaluation of domestic production among Canadian companies. He highlighted the unexpected affordability of sourcing almonds from Australia compared to the U.S., presenting new opportunities for businesses in the country.
The company is committed to utilizing 100% Canadian dairy in its ice cream and is focused on enhancing production efficiency to manage costs effectively.
Chapman expressed confidence in navigating through the challenges and maintaining their commitment to sourcing locally and supporting the Canadian economy.