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