Manischewitz wine caught in tariffs dispute as Canadian Jews prepare for Passover

By Ed White and Leah Douglas

WINNIPEG, Manitoba (Reuters) - For Jews in Canada, much like their U.S. counterparts, Manischewitz kosher wine has become a staple of Passover and other religious celebrations.

But now many are struggling to find the New York state-made drink for the wine-heavy spring holiday as Canadian government retailers and wholesale monopolies pull U.S.-made products from shelves in protest of President Donald Trump's tariffs and annexation threats.

The missing wine illustrates how Trump's tariff actions and his talk of annexation are causing pain for Canadian consumers and U.S. beverage companies like Manischewitz owner E & J Gallo Winery, as well as potential opportunities for Canadian competitors.

Many Canadian consumers are embracing a "Buy Canadian" movement and avoiding U.S.-made goods, but for some specialized products like sweet and fruity Manischewitz kosher wine, there is no true alternative, kosher goods retailers and consumers say. 

Canada's provincial governments control liquor sales and wholesaling, and since early March have all banned U.S. alcohol imports as well as most distribution and sales, including Manischewitz wine and Jack Daniel's bourbon whiskey. 

Existing stocks have been taken off shelves across the country. Private stores, allowed to sell existing supplies, told Reuters their Manischewitz bottles were snapped up by shoppers soon after the provincial governments' bans were announced.    

"People are freaking out," said Louise Waldman, a Winnipeg Jew who associates the particular taste of Manischewitz wine with a lifetime of Passover meals.

Manischewitz did not respond to requests for comment, and Gallo declined to comment. 

During Passover, which begins on April 12, Jews gather for traditional meals, called seders, and eat specific foods including horseradish, parsley and eggs. Traditionally, each participant drinks four glasses of wine throughout the meal. 

Aaron Bernstein of family-owned Bernstein's Delicatessen, a Jewish food store and restaurant in Winnipeg in Western Canada, said he has had to tell patriotic Canadian shoppers that there are not domestically made versions of some kosher products.

"There's no other product like Manischewitz wine," he said. 

MADE KOSHER IN CANADA

Canadian Jews seeking kosher wine to fulfill the ceremonial obligation might still find some Israeli wine in some government-operated liquor stores. Manitoba Liquor Marts offer three kosher wines, such as both red and white from the Galil Mountain Winery, a spokesperson said. 

But for some kosher foods producers in Canada, the upsurge in patriotic pride and the desire for "Made in Canada" goods is a chance to expand business.     

Ritesh Patel, the director of operations for Elman's Food Products, a Winnipeg kosher foods processor since 1938, hopes to capture more of the domestic kosher market.

The company is in talks with major national chains about carrying their pickled products like sauerkraut, eggs and horseradish, he said. 

To replace some U.S. products, Bernstein said his deli has been ordering more products from Israel, but imports take longer to arrive because of the extended supply chain. 

For some Canadian Jews who keep kosher, the concern goes beyond missing holiday foods and extends to the risk of tariffs and higher prices on other staple products making groceries unaffordable. 

"We're very concerned in general. The price of food is astronomical and the price of kosher food is even more concerning," said Richard Rabkin, the managing director of the Kashruth Council of Canada, the country's largest kosher certification agency.

(Reporting by Ed White in Winnipeg and Leah Douglas in Washington; Editing by Emily Schmall, Jamie Freed and Frances Kerry)