Chapman’s Ice Cream, an Ontario-based ice cream company, has announced plans to substitute over 70% of its American ingredients with Canadian or non-U.S. sources without raising prices until March 2028. The company is making this change in response to the ongoing trade dispute between Canada and the United States.
CEO Ashley Chapman revealed that the company initiated this transition in March 2025 following the imposition of tariffs by the Trump administration. Chapman emphasized that they made a commitment not to increase prices and have been actively seeking alternatives to American suppliers since then.
Chapman’s is currently on track to replace more than 70% of its American ingredients with Canadian or non-U.S. sources by mid-2027. An important aspect of this shift involves the production of sugar cones, as there are no industrial sugar cone manufacturers in Canada. To address this, Chapman’s partnered with Original Foods, a company based in Dunville, Ontario, to establish a 100% Canadian cone line.
Original Foods Limited will be manufacturing the sugar cones for Chapman’s, a decision made amidst escalating trade discussions between Canada and the U.S. President Steeve Tremblay of Original Foods highlighted the importance of supporting local manufacturing to strengthen the Canadian economy and reduce dependency on foreign countries.
Despite facing delays due to electricity registration requirements and other administrative hurdles in Canada, both companies have sealed their agreement, and necessary equipment has been procured from Germany. Tremblay expressed intentions to reach out to other Canadian businesses to promote more local collaborations.
In addition to sourcing sugar cones locally, Chapman’s is also shifting the production of wafers used in their ice cream sandwiches to Canada. Furthermore, the company is exploring international sources for ingredients such as almonds from Australia and cherries from Chile.
Ashley Chapman emphasized that the trade dispute has prompted Canadian companies to reassess their domestic production strategies. He highlighted the affordability and new opportunities that have emerged from these changes, citing the surprising cost-effectiveness of sourcing almonds from Australia over the U.S.
Chapman confirmed that some of the adjustments, like the five-year contract for Canadian-made cones, are long-term commitments. The company is also focusing on enhancing production efficiency to manage costs effectively while maintaining the use of 100% Canadian dairy in its ice cream.
