Aluminium shortage hits Canadian brewers

Small brewers in Canada are reportedly struggling to source enough aluminium for cans as a result of the hike in trade tariffs with the US.

The recently imposed tariffs brought in by the Trump administration have led not only to a rise in costs but also disruption to the supply chain.

As reported by The Telegraph, many of the larger soft drinks manufacturers stocked up on the metal before the tariffs were introduced which has created a shortage, adding yet further to the costs.

Although Canada produces a lot of its own aluminium cans it also imports some two billion every year, with most craft producers preferring cans to bottles to package their beers and ciders.

As a result, having invested so heavily in canning, most craft producers cannot just switch to bottles.

The president of Beer Canada, Luke Harford, has said the cost to the brewing industry this year could be as much as C$10.5 million.