Sapporo Breweries is considering moving production of Sapporo 0.0% nonalcoholic beer for American consumers from Canada to the United States, with production potentially shifting by the first half of 2027 as the company responds totariffs imposed on Canadian-made beer.

Chief Strategy Officer Rieko Shofu told Bloomberg that the tariffs are expected to have a significant impact on the company's operations, particularly next year. She described the tariffs as something outside the company's control and said Sapporo would move forward with local production in the United States.

The company is examining several options for expanding U.S. production, including acquiring or constructing a brewery on the West Coast or contracting with an existing American manufacturer. Sapporo has identified the United States as a major growth market and is looking to increase its share there.

The potential relocation affects only a small portion of Sapporo's Canadian production. Sleeman Breweries, which is owned by Sapporo, said production of Sapporo 0.0% for the U.S. market represents approximately 0.5% of its total Canadian output. A company spokesperson also clarified that the relocation is not imminent or finalized.

The move comes after the Trump administration imposed 50% tariffs on certain Canadian imports, including beer. The measures followed the breakdown of U.S.-Canada trade negotiations and have contributed to a broader escalation in the trade dispute between Washington and Ottawa. Canada subsequently imposed retaliatory tariffs on roughly $20 billion worth of U.S. goods.

Sapporo's decision would add another example of a company adjusting its North American supply chain in response to the tariff environment. Rather than continuing to manufacture the product in Canada for shipment into the United States, the company is evaluating whether producing it domestically would make more economic sense.

The Japanese brewer has been working to strengthen its position in the American market. Sapporo's flagship beer is the top-selling Asian beer brand in the United States, and the company has been expanding its nonalcoholic beverage offerings while restructuring its North American operations.

Sapporo is also planning broader investments in its beer business. The company has said it expects to invest between roughly $1.9 billion and $2.6 billion through 2030, including acquisitions, with about 30% of that investment targeted toward overseas operations.