Saskatchewan honey producers face uncertain future amid Canada-U.S. trade war

Saskatchewan honey producers are grappling with an uncertain future due to the ongoing trade war between Canada and the United States. Hannigan Honey, located near Shellbrook, is one of many businesses facing significant challenges from the new U.S. tariffs. Murray Hannigan, the owner of the business, stated that the situation is daunting and filled with uncertainty. The U.S. has recently imposed 50 percent tariffs on approximately $28 billion worth of Canadian goods, including honey.

Hannigan Honey typically exports 20 to 40 percent of its products to the United States, a major portion of their revenue. The tariffs have created a significant setback for the business, as they have struggled to sell their products in the U.S. market. Despite being in operation for 84 years, Hannigan Honey has faced few challenges comparable to this one.

To mitigate the impact of the trade war, Hannigan Honey has been diversifying its markets over the past decade. The company is now looking to Europe and Japan as potential markets to sell its products. However, establishing these new relationships takes time, and Hannigan has had to travel to Japan personally to build connections with potential buyers.

In response to the counter-tariffs announced by the Canadian government, Premier Scott Moe believes that Canada is adopting a strategic approach to the situation. The province supports the federal government in dealing with the trade war. The new counter-tariffs cover about $1.5 billion or 11.3 percent of Saskatchewan's annual imports from the United States.

For now, Hannigan Honey is focused on navigating the uncertainty by diversifying its trading partners and hoping for a resolution to the trade tensions. Until the situation improves, Hannigan is doing his best to manage the challenges and ensure the stability of his nearly 40 employees.