Canada’s New Tariffs Spike Pickleball Gear Prices: Canada’s new tariffs on U.S. imports are increasing costs for pickleball equipment, affecting businesses and players alike. With most pickleball gear coming from the U.S., retailers expect price hikes of up to 25 percent, forcing them to pass the costs onto consumers.
Pickleball, a mix of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, has grown in Canada, with 11 percent of households reporting at least one player, according to a 2023 Pickleball Canada survey. However, industry experts say Canada’s reliance on U.S. manufacturers means businesses must adjust to rising costs.
“We import probably 80 to 85 percent of all our products from the U.S. directly,” said Charles Neufeldt, co-owner of Pickleball Paddles Canada. With slim profit margins, he said, “so there’s no way we can absorb that and stay in business … I would expect we’d need to raise our prices 20 to 25 percent.”
Origins and Market Impact
Pickleball was created on Bainbridge Island, Washington, by a congressman and businessman looking to entertain their children. The sport has exploded in popularity, with U.S. participation growing by 223.5 percent in three years, according to a 2023 report from the Sports & Fitness Industry Association.
While China is the largest supplier of sporting goods to Canada, accounting for $710.6 million in imports in 2024, many pickleball brands are based in the U.S. The U.S. supplied $378.8 million in sporting goods to Canada that year, and even when items are manufactured in China, they often ship through the U.S., making them subject to tariffs twice—first from U.S. import duties and again from Canada’s countertariffs.
Opportunities for Canadian Businesses
Some Canadian manufacturers see a chance to benefit. Michael Epp, president of British Columbia-based Combat Paddle Co., estimates that 90 percent of paddles sold in Canada come from U.S. companies. His company, which sources directly from China and Canada, has already seen an increase in sales.
“We have already started to see an uptick in sales due to anti-American sentiment,” Mr. Epp said.
Consumer and Industry Outlook
Despite the tariffs, experts say pickleball remains affordable. “Brand-new players who never played before, they’re probably spending like 50 bucks on a paddle,” Mr. Neufeldt said. More serious players may spend up to $350, but beginners can get started for as little as $75, according to Brenda Yatabe, vice-president of the Etobicoke Pickleball Association.
The long-term effects of the tariffs remain uncertain, but Canadian businesses are adjusting. “I can foresee us losing sales in many U.S. paddles as the prices will become unaffordable,” Mr. Neufeldt said. “But hopefully we start to see an increase in sales in some of our Canadian brands.”
News in Brief: Canada’s New Tariffs Spike Pickleball Gear Prices
Canada’s tariffs on U.S. imports are raising pickleball equipment prices, affecting retailers and players. Most gear comes from the U.S., and businesses anticipate price hikes of up to 25 percent. While some Canadian companies benefit, the sport remains affordable for most players, with starter paddles costing as little as $50.
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