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Sapporo to shift some non-alcoholic beer production to the US

The company plans to move production from Canada to the US by the first half of 2027 and is weighing new West Coast capacity to offset higher tariff costs.

Reported · Written up by our desk · Trade & Tariffs

Japanese brewer Sapporo says it will move some non-alcoholic beer production from Canada to the United States after new tariffs on Canadian beer took effect Tuesday, aiming to avoid higher import costs into the US.

Sapporo pointed to a 50% tariff on beer imported from Canada, saying the change will raise shipping and cross-border costs for businesses sending beer into the US.

The shift is expected by the first half of 2027, and it will affect operations at its Canadian subsidiary, Sleeman Breweries, as Sapporo reallocates production south of the border.

To mitigate rising costs, the brewer is considering adding capacity on the US West Coast, including building or buying a brewery or partnering with a third-party manufacturer, while also budgeting up to ¥400 billion, or $2.6 billion, for investment through 2030.

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