What Will the Tariffs Mean for Your Grocery Store Shopping and What Should You Stack Up On Before They Hit!

As the Trump-era tariffs loom once again, grocery shoppers are gearing up for some potential sticker shock at the store. What was once an economic strategy to promote American products now threatens to impact the food supply chain, driving up prices on a wide range of items. With inflation already making grocery bills feel hefty, the upcoming tariffs are expected to add more weight to your wallet. Here's what to expect, and what you might want to stock up on before these tariffs start taking effect.

What’s on the Menu?

The Trump administration's tariffs have long been a part of the economic landscape, but their impact on the grocery store is one of the lesser-known consequences. The new tariffs are particularly focused on food imports, from spices and olive oil to wine and seafood. According to experts, these tariffs are expected to increase prices by up to 25% on certain imported goods. While it's easy to get caught up in the big-ticket items like electronics and automobiles, food lovers will feel the squeeze too, as everything from spices to luxury goods like chocolate could be affected. So, what's going to cost you more at the checkout?

The Spice of Life Gets Pricier

For those who rely on exotic spices to make their meals pop, the tariffs are going to leave a bad taste in their mouths. Imports from countries like India, Vietnam, and other spice-producing regions are expected to see a significant rise in cost. Curry powders, cumin, turmeric, and other essential spices could become more expensive as manufacturers pass on the increased costs to consumers. If you’re a home chef who loves experimenting with flavor, you might want to stock up on these items before they hit the shelves with hefty price tags. It's better to buy a little extra now than be left scrambling for a cheap jar of chili powder when the price has spiked.

The Olive Oil Dilemma

Olive oil, that Mediterranean staple that's become synonymous with healthy cooking, is also slated to become more expensive due to these new tariffs. Italy, Spain, and Greece are among the biggest exporters of olive oil to the U.S., and the added tariffs are expected to push prices higher. If you’re someone who uses olive oil on the daily – whether for cooking, drizzling on salads, or even in your beauty routine – it may be worth buying in bulk while prices are still stable. After all, you don’t want to be caught paying a premium for a small bottle of extra virgin olive oil when you could’ve stocked up ahead of time.

Seafood: A Pricey Catch Ahead

Seafood lovers, brace yourselves. The tariffs hitting imports from countries like China and Vietnam are expected to send prices of everything from shrimp to fish skyrocketing. If your weekly meal plan includes a nice fish fillet or a shrimp stir-fry, it’s time to consider buying frozen versions of your favorite seafood items. These tend to hold up better and are often cheaper, but with tariffs on the horizon, their prices may also rise. If you're particularly partial to fresh seafood, you may want to buy it ahead of time or reconsider some of the pricier options until the market stabilizes.

Wine: A Fine Bottle Gets Finer… And More Expensive

If you’ve been saving your pennies for that bottle of Bordeaux or a nice glass of Chianti, you might want to enjoy it sooner rather than later. Tariffs on imported wines are expected to increase as well, pushing up prices on a wide range of reds, whites, and rosés. While domestic wines may not see as dramatic an increase, the reality is that wine enthusiasts could end up paying a lot more for their favorite vintages. So, if you’ve got an anniversary or dinner party coming up, it may be a good idea to stock up on a few bottles to keep in your wine rack before the prices head up.

What You Can Do: Stock Up and Save

It’s not all doom and gloom at the grocery store – there are steps you can take to shield your wallet from the worst of it. For one, buying in bulk on pantry essentials like rice, pasta, and canned goods can help you save in the long run. These items have long shelf lives, so there's little worry about them spoiling. Similarly, consider investing in pantry staples that are still relatively unaffected by tariffs, such as local grains, dried beans, and some vegetables. These may not be as glamorous as an exotic spice or imported olive oil, but they can form the foundation of a solid grocery list, even as other prices rise.