Ok, fam… First, this blog is “written in pencil.” When you read this, information regarding the tariffs may have already changed. I understand the need to stay updated on the facts and not opinions, so I have included a list of NON-PARTISAN sources at the bottom of this blog post to get the most up-to-date information about tariffs.
If you’re like me (and many other consumers), after seeing the sweeping new Trump tariffs in 2025, I immediately thought about how my monthly grocery bill would be impacted.
I was crossing my fingers that the tariffs wouldn’t apply to food, but…Aside from the 10% base rate on all imports and higher rates on goods from certain countries, the tariffs are expected to still impact common food items like coffee, produce, cheese, seafood, and more.
So, let’s break it down:
- Which foods are impacted by the 2025 tariffs
- How to do a pantry/fridge audit to get ahead
- Smart shopping strategies
- Storage and preservation tips
Foods Impacted by the 2025 Tariffs
According to Reuters, Bloomberg, and CBS News, the following foods are expected to be most impacted by new tariffs.
Personally, some of these may not be as “concerning” like eggs and beef, but it’s good information to know in any case. Also, I include the countries because this information will be handy when we get to the pantry audit.
Here’s what I’ve found so far:
1. Coffee:
- Countries impacted:
- Vietnam: 46% tariff
- Indonesia: 32%
- Brazil & Colombia: 10%
2. Cocoa & Chocolate:
- Countries impacted:
- Ivory Coast: 21%
- Ghana: 10%
- European Union (EU) chocolate products: 20%
3. Seafood:
- Countries impacted:
- Vietnam & Thailand (couldn’t find percentage tariff)
4. Olive Oil:
- Region impacted – EU: 20% tariff
5. Wine & Spirits:
- Countries/Regions impacted:
6. Cheese & Dairy Products:
- Region impacted – EU: 20%
7. Eggs:
- As if eggs are not already high enough, tariffs on imports from Brazil, South Korea, & Turkey
8. Beef:
9. Fresh Produce (Case-by-Case):
- Mexico: 25% potential tariff on goods not compliant with United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA)
How to Do a Pantry & Fridge Inventory (First Step Before You Shop!)
Even if I weren’t writing this for tariffs, I highly recommend this practice because it helps you become more aware of your purchasing habits (which also can let you know if your habits are moving you closer or farther from your wellness goals).
Before you rush to the grocery store and spend more money than needed, stock up and take inventory! This “audit” helps you identify which foods you buy regularly that may be subject to tariffs so you can decide what to buy now, freeze, or replace with domestic goods (provided their costs do not rise).
Step 1: Make a Weekly List
Jot down 10–20 food items you buy every week or always have stocked. Think more about staples in the categories I mentioned above – produce, coffee, eggs, cheese, olive oil, seafood, and chocolate. Another, and maybe more accurate, way to do this is to look up your grocery store rewards account online and see your purchase history.
Step 2: Check Labels
Look past the nutrition label on the back to find where each product is made. Most packaging will say “Product of [Country]” near the barcode or nutritional label.
Step 3: Highlight Imports
Now that you have that info, start marking any items from your “frequent purchase list” that come from countries affected by tariffs.
Step 4: Plan Ahead
- Stock up on non-perishables and items you use frequently.
- Freeze or preserve foods that won’t last long.
- Consider swapping for domestic alternatives.
Bonus: I’m frequently late to the party because I’m still stuck in old school ways of using pen and paper for getting organized; but, check out these pantry inventory apps (like Sortly or Pantry Check). These apps help you track what you have currently and when it expires so you know what and when to purchase!
Smart Strategies to Beat Food Inflation
1. Do a Pantry & Fridge Audit
(see the section above on How to Do a Pantry & Fridge Inventory) Understand what to buy before potential price spikes. This helps you reduce food waste and clutter by only purchasing the essentials.
2. Buy in Bulk
Yep, “Costco lovers unite!”
But seriously, DO NOT panic buy, but consider purchasing shelf-stable and freezable foods now to get ahead of potential price spikes of your favorite foods.
Examples:
- Buy large bags of coffee but freeze them in small batches to help with portioning and maximizing freshness
- Get that quality olive oil now – I would try to get the ones in sealed tins (the dark, sealed containers help better preserve freshness)
- Freeze international butter (yes, butter), hard cheeses, and meats – that charcuterie board doesn’t have to suffer just because of the tariffs!
3. Buy Frozen and Put that Freezer to work
Consider prepping and then freezing foods. For instance, in addition to the cheese, butter, and meats mentioned above, chop up bell peppers, onions, or tomatoes and store them. Take a chapter out of the Dominican cookbook and make sofrito by blending veggies and herbs and then freezing them as ice cubes to use later.
However…Not all produce freezes well – they’ll turn to water when thawed. So…BUY FROZEN (and canned goods)! People tend to think of these items as less nutritious or lower quality, but it’s actually the opposite! You can purchase low-sodium or sodium-free canned food products, as well as frozen raw ingredients like berries and broccoli, all reasonably priced.
**Remember to put the date on anything you store in the freezer.**
4. Buy Local and Seasonal Products
Local products aren’t affected by international tariffs, so theoretically, their prices should remain the same. Note: I understand that in reality some, or maybe all, prices will rise in food categories; but it is a hopeful scenario for our wallets that they remain less expensive.
This is not only more cost-effective but also helps your local community and smaller businesses. And don’t forget about shopping during the season you’re in! Seasonal produce is oftentimes cheaper and fresher.
5. Track Sales and Coupons
Stay ready, fam! Turn on your notifications for grocery store apps, join their newsletters, and maybe consider following them on social media, especially if they are a smaller mom-and-pop shop. Treat it like the stock market—monitor to buy when prices are lowest, then freeze or store!
Food Storage Tips to Extend Shelf Life
It’s important to protect your weekly food investment (see what I did there by calling it an investment? I know it sounds gimmicky but when you think about food as an investment into your wellness and therapy for your wallet, your purchasing behavior may change…)
So, let’s discuss storage to protect your investment.
First, if you’re interested in cooking and storing meals, you should check out my post about how to store cooked food items.
Secondly, here are some quick storage tops for the goods we know will be tariffed.
- Coffee: Store in airtight containers (or aluminum/paper bags with no “view window”) in a cool, dark cabinet. If you buy a large bag, break it down into smaller portions to help preserve it for longer-term use.
- Cheese & Butter: Wrap tightly in parchment and plastic.
- Meat: Portion into freezer bags and remove excess air to keep it as fresh as possible in the freezer (you can use a straw to do this or partially submerge the meat in the bag in water so that the pressure pushes out all air). Remember to label clearly.
- Olive Oil: Store in a cool, dark place; buy in metal containers. You can find the oils sold in old-school gasoline tin cans.
- Chocolate: Keep in a dry spot, away from light and heat. I pretty much freeze or refrigerate any chocolate in my household because I can’t control myself if it’s out. Freezing works the best – just ensure it is tightly sealed.
Jerry Springer Final Thoughts: Stay Ahead, Not Behind
It’s inevitable that the 2025 tariffs if affected, will impact many common food items. There’s no way around that. Use these tips and strategies to minimize the impact, particularly if you’re on a tighter food budget.
Do a food audit.
Shop smart (informed).
Support local.
And…I think we’re done here…well, for now.
Sources used for the write-up:
Reputable, Non-Partisan Sources for U.S. Tariff & Trade Info
As promised, in case you wanted to do some more reading on tariffs and trade, and/or wanted to get the facts without a partisan bias, these are some good sources:
1. U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC)
- Official government agency that provides data, analysis, and reports on tariffs and imports/exports.
- Link: usitc.gov
2. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
- Current tariff schedules, import rules, and enforcement.
- Link: cbp.gov/trade
3. World Trade Organization (WTO)
- Global trade rules and disputes to see how U.S. policies compare internationally.
- Link: wto.org
4. Reuters | Bloomberg | Associated Press (AP)
5. Brookings Institution | Peterson Institute for International Economics
- Independent (non-partisan) think tanks with data-backed policy analysis on trade and tariffs (and other stuff)
- Link: brookings.edu | piie.com
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