Tariff Update: What’s Happening, What ABC is Doing & Support Available
Tariff Update: What’s Happening, What ABC is Doing & Support Available
Effective August 22, 2026, 50% U.S. tariffs are enforced on $28 billion of exports, including honey. As almost half of all exported honey from Alberta went to the United States last year, we know that many producers across Alberta are feeling the sting of the tariffs. To help producers receive adequate relief in the face of these tariffs, we are providing information for several federal and provincial relief programs. The programs include loans, project-based programs, and programs to increase exports globally, depending on the needs of your operation at this time.
Latest Updates
- August 25: Government of Canada announced an additional $7.5 billion of relief for businesses and workers that are directly impacted by the tariffs imposed by the U.S.
What ABC is Doing
At the Alberta Beekeepers Commission, we have been advocating for Alberta’s commercial producers. When the tariffs were first announced, we put together information that was shared in our Alberta Bee News magazine. Additionally, we met with Members of Parliament, government officials, and trade representatives involved in the trade negotiations to advocate reaching a deal. Our Executive Director, Barbara McKenzie, as well as CHC Delegate Lorne Prins, were involved in a CBC interview and article about the catastrophic impact that the tariffs would have on Alberta’s beekeeping industry, as almost 50% of honey exports from the province go to the United States.
Now that the tariffs have come into effect, the Alberta Beekeepers Commission continues to act on your behalf during this time of economic uncertainty with different levels of government to get more direct, tariff relief style support for our commercial honey producers. We will seek the input of our producers so that we can properly tell their stories, we will keep our producers up to date around relief programs and updates on the trade war, and we will look at ways to promote pure Alberta honey domestically.
Programs and Resources Available to Producers
A number of programs are available that may provide valuable financial and business support to producers navigating tariffs and trade disruption. Depending on the program, support can help with cash flow, financing, business investment, market diversification, export development or significant declines in farm margins.
While these resources may help producers manage some of the impacts of tariffs, most are not direct tariff-relief or compensation programs and generally do not directly compensate producers for lost honey sales, reduced prices or lost revenue. Instead, support ranges from loans and cash advances to cost-shared funding and non-repayable assistance for eligible projects.
The Alberta Beekeepers Commission continues to advocate with government for more direct, tariff-relief-style support for honey producers, while also working to ensure producers are aware of existing programs that may provide practical support in the meantime.
The table below provides a quick comparison to help producers identify programs that may be relevant to their operation, including what the support can be used for and whether it must be repaid.
Questions or Barriers Accessing Support?
If you have questions about any of these programs or are experiencing barriers to accessing available support, please contact Tom Northcott at tom.northcott@albertabeekeepers.ca
| Program | Type of support | Best for | Support available | Repayable? | Status / deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Advance Payments Program (APP) * Farm Cash * Canadian Canola Growers of Canada | Interest free & low-interest cash advance | Cash flow against honey inventory and production | Up to $1 million; first $250,000 interest-free for 2026 | Yes | Open |
| AgriStability – AFSC | Income stabilization | Protecting against significant declines in whole-farm profitability caused by production loss, increased input costs or changing market conditions | Covers 80 cents per dollar of eligible margin decline once triggered, up to a $3 million maximum benefit | No | Annual enrolment and filing deadlines apply |
| Canada Brand | Marketing and export promotion resources | Promoting Canadian honey and building recognition in international markets | No direct funding | N/A | Open |
| CanExport SMEs | Cost-shared funding | Developing and diversifying into new international markets | $10,000–$50,000, covering up to 50% of eligible project costs | No | August 31, 2026 for eligible markets |
| Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) | Contribution funding | Productivity improvements, technology adoption, market diversification and stronger supply chains | Funding varies by project | Varies – repayable and non-repayable support may be available | Open until December 31, 2027, or until funding is fully committed |
| BDC Pivot to Grow | Business financing | Cash-flow pressures, productivity investments, equipment, supply-chain changes and market diversification related to U.S. tariffs | Financing tailored to the business and proposed project | Yes | Available until March 31, 2028 |
| FCC Trade Disruption Customer Support Program | Financing / credit support | Helping agricultural businesses address cash-flow challenges resulting from tariffs and trade disruption | Based on individual business needs and circumstances | Yes | Open until March 5, 2027 |
| AFSC Alberta Producer Loan | Fixed-rate term loan | Maintaining an operation, capital investment and longer-term farm financing | Based on financing requirements and AFSC lending assessment | Yes | Open |
| AFSC Revolving Loan | Revolving credit | Seasonal expenses and ongoing working-capital requirements | Based on financing requirements and AFSC lending assessment | Yes | Open |
Which Program Might Fit My Situation?
- Need cash flow while holding honey inventory? → Advance Payments Program
- Experienced a significant decline in overall farm profitability? → AgriStability
- Facing tariff-related cash-flow pressures? → BDC Pivot to Grow or FCC Trade Disruption Customer Support
- Looking to invest in productivity, automation, processing or supply-chain resilience? → RTRI or BDC Pivot to Grow
- Looking to develop or diversify into new international markets? → CanExport SMEs, Canada Brand or RTRI
- Need general farm financing or working capital? → AFSC Alberta Producer Loan or Revolving Loan
A note on eligibility: Not every program will be suitable for every beekeeping operation. Eligibility, funding levels and repayment requirements depend on the individual program and the producer’s circumstances. Producers should review the linked program information and contact the program administrator to confirm eligibility before applying.