TORONTO, Canada: Canadian supermarkets are changing how they source and label products as a growing consumer movement to buy domestic goods and avoid U.S. products puts pressure on retailers.

The shift has intensified amid a bitter trade war between Canada and the United States. "Buy Canadian" movements began last year after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on Canadian goods and have strengthened in recent weeks after trade talks broke down and Trump signed an executive order to change the name of Lake America.

At Vince's Market in Ontario, President Giancarlo Trimarchi took to Facebook to show customers that most of the produce in his stores was Canadian after receiving angry emails and comments about the retailer stocking U.S. produce.

"It is a lot more aggressive this time around than last year," Trimarchi said.

Trump said in Dublin on Saturday that Canada was eager to reach a trade deal with the United States and that an agreement could come "fairly soon." He also repeated complaints that Canada has treated U.S. farmers unfairly and should remove tariffs.

Trimarchi's four stores across the Greater Toronto Area now carry about 90% Canadian produce. He is sourcing strawberries from Quebec instead of the United States and has cut his advertising budget as the changes put pressure on operating costs.

"We were always put in a position where you had to balance quality versus price. Now it's quality versus price versus country of origin," Trimarchi said.

Loblaw Cos, Canada's largest food retailer, brought back large maple-leaf signs in its produce and fresh-food sections in August to identify Canadian products. It also reintroduced a "T" tag showing which products are affected by tariffs and making Canadian goods easier to identify.

Metro, Canada's third-largest grocer, said it would continue prioritizing local Canadian products.

"There has been a permanent change in the Canadian psyche," said Gary Sands, senior vice president of public policy and advocacy for the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers.

Canada is the world's fifth-largest importer of fresh vegetables by value, with the United States its largest fresh-produce supplier, followed by Mexico. The U.S. share of Canadian vegetable imports fell to 62.6% in July from 69% in the same month of 2023, government data showed. More than half of Canada's fruit imports still came from the United States as of July.

Trade talks broke down on August 21, prompting a new round of tariffs and counter-tariffs.

Canada's harsh winters mean grocers typically rely on greenhouses, stored root vegetables or imports. The Canadian government is investing about C$3 billion over 10 years in greenhouses to boost winter production. It is also seeking to increase domestic food supply as it works to reduce food inflation, which is among the highest in the Group of Seven developed nations.

Gordon Dean, owner of Mike Dean Local Grocer, which operates stores in rural Ontario and Quebec, said his stores are selling more produce from countries including Spain, Brazil and Honduras.

"There's nobody running back to the U.S. supply chain because once the new supply chains are established, they're far more diversified. We're in a safer position," Dean said.

Dean said differing provincial regulations and restrictions still make moving food across Canada difficult, leaving many grocers reliant on U.S. suppliers.

"Nationalism is now trumping economics to a degree that might switch if the relationship improves," said Mike von Massow, professor of food, agriculture and resource economics at the University of Guelph.

He said an easing of tensions in the future could prompt a return to American products because they are often cheaper than alternatives.