Stock up on these tariff grocery items before your wallet has to suffer!

President Donald Trump started talking about implementing tariffs when he began his campaign trail in 2024. And now, that talk is becoming a reality. While cars and steel seem to be getting the most attention, produce and raw materials for manufactured food items are also bracing for impact.

Some tariffs already kicked in earlier this year. And more will continue, including a minimum 10% tariff on all imported goods entering the US. Imports from Mexico and Canada are getting 25% tariffs, which means, for instance, that a product from either country that costs $5 will now incur a $1.25 charge.

So, the bottom line is that you should be prepared to pay more at the grocery store. Even the most beloved supermarkets already operate with highly narrow profit margins, meaning it’s well within reason that the $1.25 charge will become the consumer’s responsibility.

But, it isn’t only the more obvious imports, like avocados from Mexico and maple syrup from Canada, that will deliver higher prices at the grocery store. So, let’s get to the bottom of it. Here are the 9 most popular tariff grocery items that will likely increase ASAP.

Tariff grocery item: Alcohol

Several popular beer brands are imported from Mexico, including Corona, and they’ll likely all see price hikes due to these new tariffs. In fact, it turns out that Mexico is the biggest exporter of beer to the United States, making up over 60% of our imported beer.

The 25% tariff on Mexican beers could lead to significant price increases, especially considering the heavy consumer buying rate annually. An associate professor at New York Institute of Technology warns that it’ll be more than just beer seeing a heftier price tag, though.

We’ll also see higher costs on wine and tequila imports. And soda and other canned beverages could also see a mild increase in price because of aluminum tariffs.

Tariff grocery item: Canned goods

Even though what’s inside your favorite canned goods, ranging from veggies to soup, may or may not get more expensive, the packaging itself will likely grow in price.

As mentioned above, tariffs on metals like steel and aluminum will likely raise the cost of canned foods, many of which tend to have a long shelf life.

Tariff grocery item: Peppers

Pizza toppings, fajitas, stuffed peppers—the possibilities are endless for the many ways this colorful veggie livens up a dish. But sadly, peppers aren’t tariff-proof.

In fact, more than 75% of bell-pepper imports come from Mexico. So, with the tariff assumption of 25%, we would be looking at a huge hit on the cost of bell peppers, which will affect us throughout the entire year.

Tariff grocery item: Avocados

90% of the avocados used in the United States come from Mexico. Domestically, avocados are grown in Hawaii, California, and Florida, but nowhere near the amounts required by restaurants, grocers, and food manufacturers.

… And don’t forget: That yummy Trader Joe’s guac won’t make itself!

Tariff grocery item: Maple syrup

Fun fact, folks: The US is the second-largest maple sugar and syrup exporter worldwide, second only to Canada. But, even though we may export over $33 million in maple sugar and syrup, we still buy $249 million worth of it from Canada.

That’s well over seven times the amount our country exports. Sadly, the price of real-deal maple syrup imported from our upstairs neighbors is being influenced by the 25% tariff.

Tariff grocery item: Chocolate

The Hershey Company, which is one of the biggest importers in the US of cocoa beans, says it sources its supply from Brazil, Coast, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Cameroon, Ivory, Ecuador, Ghana, Indonesia, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, and Peru.

Experts contacted Hershey, which makes Kit Kat bars, and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, among others, to ask about future price increases. A spokesman said the company couldn’t comment because it’s “in an earnings window.”

Nevertheless, the tariffs come on top of “serious increases in cocoa beans for probably the past two or three years because of the weather and the political climate.

Tariff grocery item: Salmon

Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, salmon is a favored protein choice for health-minded Americans. And Canada supplies 96% of salmon exports to our country. A 25% tariff on Canadian seafood imports could raise salmon prices by 10%. This means that if you now pay $10 per pound, the new price with the tariff would be roughly $11.

You might be wondering why there’s only a 10% increase in the cost of salmon when a 25% tariff is placed on it. Well, money experts say businesses might absorb some of the fees to remain competitive with pricing strategies, consumers, and exchange rates if our dollar strengthens against the Canadian dollar.

Tariff grocery item: Canola oil

With barbecue season coming in fast, you probably want to start using more oil to prep your grill for high-heat cooking. Well, brace yourself for a bit of a shock. The USDA reports that, as of 2022, 96% of the nation’s canola oil imports come from Canada.

And if you think that switching to olive oil is your solution, think again! A 25% tariff could eventually get slapped on European Union imports, and 78% of our olive oil is imported from Europe.

Tariff grocery item: Lettuce

Lettuce and leafy greens will also be greatly impacted by Trump’s tariffs. Romaine and icebergs, especially, are primarily imported from Mexico. Even though it’s not as trendy as other vegetables, lettuce is a grocery-cart staple and will also see a surprising rise in price.

More than 95% of the lettuce consumed in our country during winter months is imported from Mexico. Due to the fragile nature of lettuce and its seasonal production cycle, there are very little immediate substitutes.

A 25% tariff would raise the price of a head of iceberg or romaine lettuce from $1.20 to $1.50 or more, and for bagged salad mixes, the effect could be even stronger due to logistics and processing costs.

Bonus: Savings strategies to fight tariffs

As with everything else in life, sometimes you have to get a little creative to save a few bucks, even as prices skyrocket at the supermarket. Here are a few tips to keep in your back pocket:

-Grow your own: Even though in the past, growing your own herbs might have been too costly compared to the low price of buying some cilantro or rosemary at the grocery store, if the prices of these products go up, you might find that you’re better off testing out your green thumb!

-Buy seasonal and local: One of the most effective ways to avoid the brunt of tariff-related price jumps is to move toward seasonal and locally grown produce. This approach goes far beyond traditional farmers’ markets and harvest calendars.

Many fruits and veggies facing increased costs are heavily imported, especially during the off-season. But, during harvest months, farmers all around the US can supply outstanding alternatives like apples, kale, spinach, squash, broccoli, and much more, depending on where you live.

-Look for other substitutes: For instance, if maple syrup from Canada becomes too expensive, molasses or locally produced honey can offer similar richness. And if avocados from Mexico get too out of hand, explore alternatives like green peas, edamame, or hummus as healthy fat substitutes.

Even domestic vodka, whiskey, and rum brands have been steadily improving in variety and quality, often at lower prices than imported European alcohol.

Will these tariff grocery items affect your back pocket? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section. But don’t leave yet! The Money Place has many more helpful reads you can enjoy.

For example, I highly recommend checking out the 9 Cost-Saving Items You Should ALWAYS Buy at Costco