3. Roasted Seaweed
- April price: $10.99
- June price: $11.99
- December price: $13.15
If any product illustrates the direct impact of tariffs, it’s imported snack foods like roasted seaweed. Kirkland’s South Korea–sourced roasted seaweed saw its price rise by $1 between April and June, going from $10.99 to $11.99.
By December, the closest comparable product—Gimme roasted seaweed, with the same weight and also sourced from South Korea—was priced at $13.15. That’s more than a $2 increase from the pre-tariff price.
Unlike some domestically produced goods that only indirectly feel the effects of tariffs, imported snacks like seaweed are directly exposed. When tariffs are placed on goods from countries like South Korea or China, importers must either absorb the extra cost or pass it on to retailers, who then pass it on to consumers.
For shoppers who rely on Costco for specialty or international foods at lower prices than traditional grocery stores, these increases can be especially disappointing. The value proposition that once made these items appealing starts to erode.
