Saskatchewan honey producers hit hard by U.S. tariffs

Saskatchewan honey producers face major disruption after the U.S. imposed 50 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods, including natural honey, amid an escalating trade war. The tariffs threaten operations like Hannigan Honey near Shellbrook, which sends 20 to 40 per cent of its product to the U.S. Owner Murray Hannigan says the tariffs are "shutting us out" and creating significant uncertainty for his 84-year-old business and its nearly three dozen staff. He has begun diversifying markets, focusing on Europe and Japan, though building those relationships takes time and travel. Hannigan started diversifying over a decade ago, a strategy now accelerating. The counter-tariffs cover about $1.5 billion or 11.3 per cent of Saskatchewan's annual U.S. imports, with Premier Scott Moe supporting Ottawa's targeted approach. Hannigan hopes cooler heads prevail.