Chapman’s Ice Cream, an Ontario-based ice cream company, has announced plans to substitute over 70% of its American ingredients without raising prices for the next two years. This move comes amidst the ongoing trade tensions between Canada and the United States.
CEO Ashley Chapman revealed that the company initiated the search for alternative suppliers in March 2025, following the imposition of tariffs by the Trump administration. Chapman emphasized the company’s commitment to maintaining price stability until March 2028.
The company aims to transition more than 70% of its American-sourced ingredients to Canadian or non-U.S. suppliers by mid-2027. One significant change involves the sourcing of sugar cones, a product not domestically produced in Canada. To address this, Chapman’s partnered with Original Foods, a company based in Dunville, Ontario, which will manufacture the sugar cones using a newly acquired cone oven.
Steeve Tremblay, president of Original Foods, highlighted the importance of supporting local manufacturing to strengthen the economy and reduce dependency on foreign suppliers amid trade uncertainties. The partnership between the two companies has already been formalized, with equipment procurement underway, although delays have been encountered due to regulatory requirements specific to Canada.
Chapman’s is also diversifying its ingredient sources, obtaining wafers for ice cream sandwiches from Canadian producers and securing almonds from Australia and cherries from Chile. The company’s strategic shift towards domestic and international sourcing aims to mitigate the impact of trade disputes and explore cost-effective alternatives.
Ashley Chapman expressed optimism about the company’s future, emphasizing the long-term commitments made to local suppliers and the continued use of 100% Canadian dairy in their products. The efforts to enhance production efficiency are part of Chapman’s strategy to manage costs and navigate the evolving trade landscape.
The company’s proactive approach to ingredient sourcing reflects a broader trend among Canadian businesses reevaluating their production practices in response to trade uncertainties. Chapman noted the unexpected affordability of certain alternative sources, such as almonds from Australia, highlighting the potential opportunities arising from diversifying suppliers.
Chapman’s Ice Cream remains dedicated to supporting local industries, fostering partnerships with Canadian suppliers, and ensuring the quality and sustainability of its products amid changing market dynamics.