SAQ to remove American products from its shelves starting Tuesday

By Quentin Dufranne, The Canadian Press

The Quebec Ministry of Finance announced Sunday afternoon that it had asked the Société des Alcools du Québec (SAQ) to remove “all American products” from its shelves as of Tuesday. 

The SAQ will also have to stop supplying American alcoholic beverages to grocery stores, bars, agencies and restaurants in the province.

“This measure is a reaction to the unjustified imposition of customs tariffs decreed by the American administration,” declared Finance Minister Eric Girard in a press release. “Other measures will follow.”

Quebec explained that it could take a few days before American alcohols have completely disappeared from the stores. The Ministry of Finance assured that the impact of this measure will be “limited for Quebec consumers,” because the SAQ offers a range of products from countries other than the United States. 

“We will protect our economy, our businesses and our citizens,” said Girard. 

According to the SAQ’s 2023 annual report, “still wines” of American origin represented 6.8 per cent of the market share. It was 33.2 per cent and 23.3 per cent respectively for France and Italy. 

–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews

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