NSLC reports nearly $7M in U.S. liquor sales in third-quarter results

Nova Scotians are buying more alcohol and cannabis, according to the NSLC.

The Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation (NSLC) is reporting an increase in both alcohol and cannabis sales during its third quarter, but some brewers say those rising sales don’t necessarily mean stronger profits.

Total sales from Sept. 29 to Dec. 28, 2025, were up 2.3 per cent to $236.2 million, according to a news release from the province.

Beverage alcohol and cannabis sales were up compared with the same time the previous year.

NSLC says alcohol sales increased 1.1 per cent to $201.4 million and cannabis sales increased 10 per cent to $34.8 million.

Meanwhile, overall earnings increased 1.3 per cent to $76.7 million.

“Sales of Nova Scotia products increased by 10.3 per cent to $37.9 million. Locally produced beverage alcohol sales increased 11.7 per cent to $28.6 million,” the release reads.

“Local cannabis sales increased 6.3 per cent to $9.4 million, with Nova Scotia cannabis products accounting for 26.9 per cent of all cannabis sales.”

U.S. alcohol sales

The province pulled all U.S. alcohol products from store shelves on March 4, 2025, in response to tariffs on Canada.

Liquor from the United States returned to Nova Scotia store shelves on Dec. 2, 2025. NSLC spokesperson Terah McKinnon said they saw an immediate surge in demand.

NSLC says third-quarter sales of U.S. products totalled $6.7 million.

A recent report from the Office of the United States Trade Representative flagged provincial liquor regulations as a barrier to American exports, saying they limit market access for U.S. wine, beer and spirits. The concerns come as Canada continues to promote a “Buy Canadian” approach.

Despite increased competition, McKinnon said local products remain strong, with all categories posting year-over-year growth.

“Our local product sales also continue to show growth,” she said.

But local brewers say the picture on the ground is more complicated.

Andrew Tanner, founder of Saltbox Brewing Company and president of Craft Brewers Association with Nova Scotia, said while sales have improved compared with previous years, rising costs are squeezing margins.

“Everything has increased. Aluminum cans are more expensive, grain is more expensive, and packaging materials are more expensive,” he said. “It just adds another layer.”

Tanner said consumers are also changing how they drink, consuming less overall, but opting for higher-quality products when they do.

“When they’re consuming less, they want a quality product,” he said. “They’re not happy to drink a watered-down product any longer.”

Still, he said, there are limits to how much breweries can pass those costs on to customers.

“We feel the consumer’s maxed out on price,” Tanner said. “There’s only so much more they’ll pay.”

He also pointed to provincial markup policies as a barrier to growth. Under current rules, breweries that exceed a certain production threshold face a steep increase in markups, from about 40 per cent to more than 80 per cent.

Tanner said that structure discourages expansion and adds to financial pressure in an already tight-margin industry.

“I don’t think you’ll talk to any brewery in Nova Scotia that says they’re making a fortune,” he said. “They’re really just making it by.”

With files from CTV News Atlantic’s Hafsa Arif

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