Chapman’s Ice Cream, an Ontario-based company, announces plans to substitute over 70% of its American-sourced ingredients without raising prices for the next two years. The shift away from American suppliers is in response to the ongoing trade tensions between Canada and the United States. CEO Ashley Chapman revealed that the company initiated the search for alternative suppliers back in March 2025, following the imposition of tariffs by the Trump administration.
The company is set to replace more than 70% of its American ingredients with Canadian or non-U.S. sources by mid-2027. One significant change involves the production of sugar cones, for which Chapman’s has partnered with Original Foods Limited, a company based in Dunville, Ontario. This collaboration aims to establish a 100% Canadian cone line, as there are currently no industrial sugar cone producers in Canada.
President Steeve Tremblay of Original Foods highlighted the importance of supporting local manufacturing to strengthen the Canadian economy and reduce dependency on foreign sources. The agreement between the two companies has been finalized, with equipment procurement underway. However, delays have been experienced due to Canada’s unique electricity registration requirements and other bureaucratic hurdles.
Chapman’s 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 efforts to enhance production efficiency and maintain cost control reflect its commitment to navigating the challenges posed by the trade dispute between Canada and the U.S.
Ashley Chapman emphasized the long-term nature of some changes, such as the five-year contract for Canadian-made cones, and reiterated the company’s dedication to using 100% Canadian dairy in its ice cream products. The strategic adjustments made by Chapman’s underscore a broader trend among Canadian businesses to reassess domestic production in response to changing trade dynamics.