Bick's pickles, a popular brand in Canada, are no longer available at several retailers due to ongoing trade tensions between Canada and the United States. This change has left many consumers surprised and may lead them to seek out more locally produced alternatives. The situation could also have broader implications for Canadian jobs and businesses.

At various Safeway locations in Edmonton, signs indicate that Bick's pickles are unavailable due to tariffs. One sign reads, "Bick's pickles are currently unavailable as an unfortunate impact of tariffs. We are pleased to offer a selection of alternatives for your shopping convenience."

The parent company, Sobeys, has not responded to requests for comment regarding the situation. Steven Oakland, CEO of TreeHouse Foods Inc., which owns the Bick's brand, expressed disappointment over the impact of the tariff dispute. "We're sad to hear that Bick's is embroiled in this tariff dispute," he said.

The trade conflict escalated in March when the U.S. imposed tariffs on Canadian goods, prompting Canada to retaliate with its own tariffs, including a 25% tariff on cucumbers and gherkins. Oakland noted that this tariff has made Bick's pickles too expensive for many retailers. "The food business is a low-margin, high-volume business. And so there isn't 25 percent either on the retailer side or the manufacturing side," he explained.

As a result, Bick's pickles are still available in about 70% of Canadian retail locations, but sales have dropped by approximately 25% in the last three months. Oakland mentioned that the company is actively trying to address the Canadian counter-tariff, including reaching out to political leaders.

Bick's has a complex history, having started as a Canadian company before being acquired by a U.S. firm, which moved production to the U.S. in 2014. Despite this, the company continues to source cucumbers from Ontario and uses Canadian suppliers for jar lids. Oakland emphasized the intertwined nature of the business, stating, "We've got a border dispute that just makes that transfer back and forth across the border expensive."

Experts warn that the current trade tensions could have unintended consequences for Canadian farmers. Mike von Massow, a food economist, noted that if consumers choose not to buy Bick's due to the tariffs, it could lead to reduced purchases from Canadian cucumber producers. "If buy Canadian means that people aren't buying Bick's, then Bick's is buying fewer cucumbers from Canadian producers," he said.

Kwaku Afesorgbor, a professor in food economics, added that customers often bear the brunt of tariffs, facing higher prices or fewer product options.

Crystal Porcher, an avid pickle fan from Edmonton, expressed her frustration over the situation. "If you're out in a pub or having a beer, they're usually on the menu, and I am guilty of just asking for a bowl of pickles," she said. Porcher acknowledged that while she will continue to seek out pickles, she is concerned about potential price increases.

The Bick's pickle situation highlights the complexities of food supply chains affected by trade disputes. John Cox, executive vice president of Pickle Packers International, emphasized the need for duty-free transportation of food products under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). He warned that the 25% import duty could jeopardize the profitability of the pickled vegetable industry.

As the trade war continues, the future of Bick's and its impact on Canadian consumers and producers remains uncertain.