President Trump announced a 10 percent across the board tariff effective immediately today — essentially extra taxes on products imported into the United States — for most countries except China, for which he imposed a 125 percent tariff.
Tariffs for the other countries could still go higher, but the president said he has paused these higher tariffs for the next 90 days.
What will this mean for the price of foods, especially pantry staples, healthy favorites, and non-negotiables like coffee and chocolate?
Grocery prices have already gone up more than 20 percent since the COVID-19 pandemic, says David Ortega, PhD, a professor and chair in food economics and policy at Michigan State University in East Lansing.
“The new round of tariffs being imposed now threatens to push food prices even higher. Since the U.S. relies on other countries for many seasonal food products, these costs will ultimately get passed on to American consumers,” he says.
For foods that we either don’t produce domestically or can’t harvest year-round, tariffs will directly raise the price at the grocery store, says Dr. Ortega.
“This is especially concerning at a time when consumers are already feeling stretched by higher prices across the board,” he says.
While higher prices may affect healthy and unhealthy foods alike, they may hit your wallet hardest when it comes to already spendy so-called superfoods — items especially high in nutrients and antioxidants that help protect you from conditions like heart disease and cancer.
Chocolate
Dark chocolate is a two-for-one powerhouse — not only does it help satisfy a craving for sweets, it’s also rich in antioxidants and packed with nutrients. It’s even been linked with reducing the risk of heart disease and boosting cognitive health.
Most of those countries would fall in the baseline 10 percent tariff zone, which will likely translate into a bump in how much our favorite chocolate bar costs, says Ortega.
Olive Oil
Olive oil is a must-have for home chefs and a staple in the Mediterranean diet. The oil mostly consists of heart-healthy unsaturated fats, and using it to sauté your veggies has even been shown to help your body absorb fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K.
Although you’ve probably seen California-made extra-virgin olive oil in the grocery store, U.S. production of olive oil makes up a mere 2 percent of what we use each year. America imports most olive oil from the European Union, particularly Spain, Italy, and Greece.
Given the 10 percent tariff rate for the EU, American consumers will likely see a cost hike, says Ortega.
Berries
Blueberries (especially wild blueberries), strawberries, and blackberries offer a bevy of benefits. Not only are they packed with fiber and vitamins, berries also have anti-inflammatory properties that have been linked with better brain health and cancer prevention.
Coffee
Health benefits might not be the first reason a lot of us reach for our morning cup of coffee, but it comes with plenty. Not only does coffee give us an energy boost, it may also reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s.
All those countries are subject to the 10 percent baseline tariff, and that means the price of coffee beans and a cup of coffee at our favorite café will likely rise, says Dawn Thilmany, PhD, a professor of agricultural and resource economics at Colorado State University in Fort Collins.
“For many foods or beverages, when the price of an item goes up, we can often find a suitable less expensive substitute. Not so with coffee — and that makes a rise in cost difficult, especially for people whose food budget is already stretched thin,” says Dr. Thilmany.
Avocados
The unsaturated fats found in avocados are good for heart health. They’re also a delicious source of fiber — a whopping 13.5 grams in just one medium avocado.
But avocados are already one of the pricier produce items in our shopping carts. Could their cost go even higher due to tariffs?
Nuts
Nuts are a classic go-to healthy snack. They’re easy to keep on hand in an office drawer or purse, and because they are full of protein and fiber, they help us feel full for longer. Some types like cashews and almonds may even improve our heart health or help with weight management.
Bottom Line: Your Whole Grocery Bill Will Probably Go Up
Or even the packaging, points out Thilmany. “For example, tariffs on products like aluminum will make items sold in cans more expensive,” she says.
People in the United States who are food insecure will feel these higher costs the most, says Thilmany.
One potential silver lining? “The higher costs may inspire some of us to shop smarter and reduce food waste,” she says.
