10 Grocery Staples That Will Cost More Because of Tariffs

When word of tariffs hit the airwaves, some people didn’t realize what they would entail. Unfortunately, it’s mostly bad news for most consumers. Tariffs on countries that export goods to U.S. consumers mean you’ll likely pay more for the same items.

Even though tariffs can be removed, consumers might still experience sticker shock for a while, and in some cases, prices may not come back down. While there is currently a pause on “reciprocal” tariffs from most countries, a 10 percent baseline tariff remains in effect for all goods.

Here are some common items that you’ll soon see with higher prices.

Whether you order a cup of coffee from a local cafe or a major chain, the beans have likely come from a foreign country. This means that you may see higher coffee prices almost everywhere you go. Another reason for the higher prices? Climate issues have resulted in a worse coffee crop than in previous years. Another possible reason for the price spike is that the cups used to hold your coffee will also see cost increases due to tariffs. 

One thing you can do to save money is to buy coffee in bulk, which can save money. Also, save the pricey Starbucks orders for special occasions. You can get a nice coffee maker to improve your at-home brew.

If you think your favorite seafood comes from the U.S. coasts, so you’ll be exempt from higher tariffs, you’re in for a rude awakening. Much of the seafood you eat comes from other countries, and many will face increased tariffs. Some of the top countries that supply seafood include Chile, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam. 

Most consumers think that avocados are grown in two places: California and Mexico. But what you might not realize — until now — is that many other countries provide the U.S. with its avocados. 

Avocados are almost exclusively grown in countries like Mexico, Peru, the Dominican Republic, Colombia and Chile. And while Mexico is exempt from tariffs, the other mentioned countries aren’t. That means your next side of guac may be a lot more expensive.

When you think of olive oil, you probably think of one place: Italy. And that country was no exception to the new tariff mandate. That means that your next jar of olive oil — and balsamic vinegar — is likely going to cost more than it has in recent memory. And don't think olive oil from Spain is exempt — it also faces a 10% tariff. 

If you use a lot of olive oil, consider buying larger quantities so you can get a bulk discount.

Most of your favorite cheeses are likely produced in a foreign country and then imported to the U.S. (think Parmigiano-Reggiano and Gouda). At least you can still get cheddar from Wisconsin. So if you love to have a cheese-forward charcuterie board, you might have to switch to something else.

Cheese-producing countries that will be impacted by tariffs include Spain, France, Italy, and the Netherlands.

Nuts are one of the best snacks, but you might start having to pay more for your favorite roasted or salted nuts. Countries that grow some of the nation’s most popular nuts will be impacted by tariffs. 

Pecans, cashews, and macadamia nuts are most commonly affected by tariffs. Countries like Ivory Coast, Brazil, Vietnam, and Thailand are responsible for growing several different kinds of nuts that we import.

If you love treating yourself to a candy bar when you’ve had a tough day, that frugal treat might get more expensive. Many candy bars are exported to the U.S., so you might find that one chocolate bar suddenly costs more than you’re used to. And even if a candy bar is made in the U.S., the cocoa used in it is grown outside the country.

Another reason why prices will be higher for your favorite sweet treat is that many candy bars have nuts.

The U.S. is capable of growing many different kinds of fruit, but most tropical fruits aren’t one of them. If you love having a fresh mango in your morning smoothie, then get ready to pony up. Tropical fruits are one of the most common items that tariffs will affect.

One way to still get your fruit fix without paying exorbitant prices is to stick to local fruits that are in season. Go to the farmers’ markets and see what you can get. You can also visit u-pick farms in the summer and grab fruit to freeze for later.

You might think that fresh fruit is the only thing that’s impacted by tariffs, but that’s not true. In fact, consumers who buy canned fruit and vegetables might also see higher prices. Many types of canned fruit —  especially canned tropical fruits, like pineapple — are grown and packaged abroad. 

You might try saving money by switching to a generic brand, buying canned fruit in bulk, and tracking sales. Also, if you have local fruit in season, you can try canning it yourself. The aluminum in these cans will also see a potential tariff increase.

If you love canned tuna as a healthy protein snack, get ready to pay through the nose. While many types of foods will only see 10% increases, canned tuna is an exception. Canned tuna is predominantly farmed or caught in countries like China, Thailand, and Vietnam. These are countries that are seeing larger-than-average tariff hikes. 

Also, the aluminum that tuna comes in is also seeing a huge tariff hike, which is another reason why your tuna fish sandwich might be more expensive than ever before.