Alcohol shortages expected ahead of holidays in Canada, authorities say
Global News
Supply chain experts say the inventory crunch stems from issues with production, transportation and demand. Canadian wineries, distilleries and breweries say to buy local.
Canada is facing alcohol shortages ahead of the holidays due to supply chain issues, a situation prompting some provincial liquor authorities to urge customers to shop early — or be prepared to try a new libation.
Supply chain experts say the inventory crunch stems from issues with production, transportation and demand.
Yet with much of the backlog impacting imported booze, Canadian wineries, distilleries and breweries are encouraging people to buy local.
“Our larders are full,” said Carolyn Hurst, chair of the Ontario Craft Wineries and co-owner of Westcott Vineyards. “Every winery in Ontario has lots of product and we’re shipping every day. We have no problem getting our product to store shelves.”
It’s a different story for imported alcohol.
While some types of booze are fully stocked, others varieties are running low or out of stock altogether.
Part of the problem is production. Adverse weather events like fires and droughts have impacted crops in some wine-producing regions.
Labour shortages have also curtailed production of alcohol, especially varieties that are more reliant on manual work.