NB Liquor profit loss prompts questions about keeping unsold U.S. booze out of stores

The New Brunswick Official Opposition says its time to sell the American liquor that is resting on shelves.

New Brunswick’s Official Opposition is asking why unsold United States alcohol purchased before the U.S. trade war’s escalation is being kept off store shelves, after a drop in NB Liquor’s net income to end the fiscal year.

NB Liquor removed U.S. liquor from store shelves in February in response to President Donald Trump’s initial tariff threats. The provincial government also directed NB Liquor to stop making new purchase orders for U.S. liquor.

NB Liquor’s recently released fourth quarter financial details show a net profit of almost $30.4 million, down 15 per cent from last year’s fourth quarter net income of nearly $35.8 million. NB Liquor also posted a sales increase of 0.2 per cent, approaching $107 million.

This week during question period, Progressive Conservative MLA Kathy Bockus asked about NB Liquor’s profit losses as well as the dollar amount of U.S. liquor being stored.

“Why don’t we just sell the U.S. liquor?” Bockus asked on Friday. “Why is it still sitting on the shelves? Why can’t we sell it?”

Earlier this week, Minister responsible for NB Liquor Luke Randall said there was “give or take” $4 million of U.S. liquor being stored.

“For the shareholders, the people of New Brunswick and the corporation we have give or take $4 million that we need to work with our channel partners to be able to deliver value back to the people of New Brunswick,” said Randall.

ANBL didn’t respond to a request for clarification on the retail value of unsold U.S. liquor being stored by NB Liquor.

In the legislature, Randall dismissed the suggestion of restocking U.S. alcohol that’s already been purchased by NB Liquor at this time.

“I don’t want to hear the clamouring to bring U.S. back when we’re still under the threat of tariffs, when we’ve taken a strong leadership position to support New Brunswick and support our nation,” said Randall.

Randall said NB Liquor has noted a six per cent increase in sales for New Brunswick products at NB Liquor in the fourth quarter.

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