2. Grapes

• April price: $7.49
• June price: $7.99
• December price: $9.07

Grapes are another produce item that demonstrates how tariffs can quietly reshape grocery prices over time. In April, Lakritz purchased a 3-pound package of Chilean purple grapes for $7.49. By June, a similar quantity of U.S.-grown red grapes cost just $0.50 more, at $7.99.

By December, however, a comparable 3-pound pack was priced at $9.07. That’s more than a $1 increase from June and over $1.50 higher than the April price.

While domestic production can sometimes shield products from tariffs, grapes are a year-round commodity that relies heavily on imports during certain seasons. Chile, Peru, and other countries play a major role in supplying grapes to U.S. markets when domestic production slows. Tariffs affecting imported produce—or the logistics involved in transporting it—can quickly translate into higher shelf prices.

For Costco shoppers accustomed to buying fruit in bulk for families or meal prep, even a dollar increase can feel substantial when multiplied across a monthly grocery budget.