Are Bick’s Pickles Canadian Stores Dropping the Product? The Full Story
Canadians have been eating the Bick’s pickles for more than 70 years. They were once made here, in Ontario, and found in almost every grocery store. Now, many shoppers are noticing empty spaces where those jars used to be. Some stores still carry them, but others have quietly taken them off the shelves. We’re left wondering are Bick’s pickles are really disappearing from Canada?
Let’s get into what’s going on. We’ll look at how trade rules, higher costs, and new pickle brands are changing what we see in the pickle aisle. We’ll also explore how our buying choices can shape what products stay and which ones fade away. Because when it comes to food we love, we all want the full story before we decide what goes into our carts.
Background: How Bick’s Moved from Local to Imported?
Bick’s was once made in Ontario. The brand began in the 1950s and became a pantry staple for many Canadians. In 2010, production in Canada stopped. Since then, jars have come from the United States. That change matters. It changed costs, supply lines, and shoppers’ attachment to the label.
In early 2024, Smucker sold Bick’s and several other condiment brands. TreeHouse Foods bought them. That sale moved the brand under new ownership and new supply decisions. We note this because who owns a brand often decides where jars are made and how they are shipped.
Current Availability: Are stores really dropping Bick’s?
Many Canadians now report fewer Bick’s jars on shelves. Some big chains posted signs about stock being unavailable. Other stores simply replaced Bick’s with local brands. The trend is patchy. Some outlets still carry Bick’s. Others do not.
Shoppers share pictures of empty spots in the pickle aisle. Some grocery employees say the change came quickly. Others say it is tied to ordering choices and price pressures. Online chatter matches local news stories. That mix suggests supply and cost issues, not a single corporate decision.
Tariffs and Trade: A direct price shock
A big reason for the change is new tariffs. Canada listed many U.S. products for a 25% tariff effective March 13, 2025. That list included a range of consumer goods. Tariffs raise the cost of bringing jars across the border. Retailers face higher import bills. They may choose to drop a product if it costs too much to stock.
Tariffs do not ban a product. But they make it more expensive. Retailers then make hard choices. They can raise shelf prices, eat the cost, or stop buying the brand. Many are choosing to replace U.S. imports with Canadian alternatives. We see that in multiple stores.
Why retailers might stop ordering the Bick’s Pickles Canadian?
We looked at the business logic. First, cost matters. A 25% tariff can add a lot to a jar’s landed price. Second, margins in grocery stores are thin. Chains must keep prices stable for shoppers. Third, buyers prefer a reliable supply. If imports stall or carry extra fees, buyers pick other suppliers. Fourth, local brands can be sold as “made in Canada.” That appeals to some shoppers. Together, these reasons explain why some chains quietly stopped ordering Bick’s.
Consumer reaction and local alternatives
People notice. Many posts about missing jars. Some are upset. Others shrug and try a different brand. Local pickle makers now get more attention. Brands like Putter’s, Lakeside, and other regional makers were mentioned by shoppers. Some stores now promote Canadian alternatives on the shelf. We found several consumer posts urging a return to Canadian-made pickles.
This shift is not only about patriotism. It is about taste and freshness for some shoppers. Others like the idea of supporting local jobs. If we keep choosing local products, retailers will keep them in stock. Buying choices matter more than many of us realize.
What does this mean for Bick’s and the pickle aisle?
Bick’s is not banned. It is not dead. But the brand now faces higher costs and new owners. That combination changes how often jars appear on Canadian shelves. If tariffs are lifted or sales strategies change, Bick’s could return to fuller distribution. The brand might also consider re-shoring production. That would remove cross-border tariffs and appeal to “made in Canada” buyers.
TreeHouse Foods now controls the brand in North America. They will decide whether to push harder in Canada, change packaging, or move production. Retailers will decide whether to stock Bick’s based on price and demand. We should watch announcements from the company and major grocery chains.
Practical advice for shoppers
If you miss Bick’s, there are a few options. Call local stores and ask them to reorder. Try Canadian-made jarred pickles are high quality. Watch local flyers for restocks. If enough shoppers ask, chains may bring Bick’s back onto shelves. Retailers notice trends. Your choices send clear signals.
Conclusion: more than a jar on a shelf
The Bick’s story is bigger than a missing pickle. It shows how trade policy, ownership changes, and buying habits shape store shelves. Tariffs made imports costlier. New ownership changed supply lines. Shoppers reacted by trying local brands. The result is fewer Bick’s jars in some places. We can change that outcome. We vote with our wallets. If we want Bick’s back, we can ask for it. If we prefer local pickles, we can keep buying them. Either way, the pickle aisle reflects choices we make every week.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Bick’s pickles used to be made in Canada, but now are mostly made in the U.S. Some Canadian stores have stopped selling them due to costs and trade rules as of 2025.
Bick’s pickles started in Canada, but since 2010, most jars have come from the United States. So, today, they are not mainly a Canadian product.
No, Bick’s pickles are no longer made in Canada. Production moved to the U.S. after 2010. This change affects their availability in Canadian stores.
Bick’s began as a Canadian company but was sold to U.S. owners. Since 2024, TreeHouse Foods, an American company, has owned the Bick’s brand.
Disclaimer:
This is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always do your research.