US Tariffs Sting Saskatchewan Honey Makers
The United States’ decision to slap a 50 per cent duty on roughly C$28 billion of Canadian goods has sent ripples through the Prairie beekeeping sector. Among those feeling the pinch is Hannigan Honey, a family‑run operation near Shellbrook that has been extracting honey for 84 years. Owner Murray Hannigan described the mood as “a bit of a wait‑and‑see situation, but certainly there is a lot of concern.” The tariffs, which apply to natural honey among other products, threaten a long‑standing trade flow that has been a cornerstone of the business.
Hannigan Honey’s Export Dependence
Historically, between 20 and 40 per cent of Hannigan Honey’s output has headed south of the border. That share translates into a sizable portion of revenue for the firm, which employs close to three dozen people. Hannigan warned that the new duties are “affecting us hugely, just simply shutting us out.” He added that the uncertainty weighs heavily on his staff, noting, “I provide work for a lot of people. That’s really important to me that they have a degree of stability in their lives.” Despite the pressure, the company’s long history gives it a modest buffer, though the owner remains wary of the unpredictable climate.
Diversifying Beyond the Border
Anticipating just such a scenario, Hannigan began expanding his market reach more than ten years ago, seeking buyers in Europe and Japan. That strategy is now being accelerated as the U.S. dispute deepens. “We have had to travel to Japan; we’ve gone with the premier. We’ve been there on our own. And that connectivity is very important to them. It’s important to us,” Hannigan explained. Building those overseas relationships, however, takes time and cannot be swapped overnight, leaving the firm to juggle existing contracts while courting new ones.
Provincial Response and Counter‑Tariffs
Ottawa’s retaliatory measures, which target about C$1.5 billion of U.S. goods – equivalent to 11.3 per cent of Saskatchewan’s annual imports from the United States – have received a cautious endorsement from Premier Scott Moe. In a statement he said the federal approach is “focused and targeted,” and that the province stands behind it. While the counter‑tariffs aim to offset some of the pressure, Hannigan remains pragmatic: he will continue to navigate the uncertainty, broaden his trader network, and hope that cooler heads prevail in the negotiations.
Why it Matters
The plight of Hannigan Honey illustrates how a single sector can become a flashpoint in broader trade tensions, with repercussions that ripple through rural employment and regional economies. When a long‑standing export channel is curtailed by steep tariffs, even businesses with deep roots and diversified strategies face strain, highlighting the vulnerability of commodity producers to geopolitical shifts. The situation also underscores the importance of provincial and federal coordination in crafting measured counter‑measures that protect local industries without escalating the dispute further. For readers watching North American trade flows, the honey episode serves as a tangible reminder that policy decisions made in Washington and Ottawa can directly affect the livelihoods of workers in places like Shellbrook.
