Groceries have gotten so much more expensive lately that the cost of cooking a meal at home is about the same as it would’ve been to eat at a fairly nice restaurant a few years ago. But of course, the cost of restaurant dining has also increased, meaning home cooking is still the more frugal option. Now that Donald Trump has returned to the White House, he has been making waves for imposing tariffs on countries like Canada, Mexico, and China. This is expected to cause the cost of groceries imported from those countries to rise. The price of eggs continues to soar with no end in sight, but these are a domestic product that is increasing in cost independently from groceries impacted by tariffs. Read on to see which groceries are about to become more expensive due to President Donald Trump’s tariffs. If the cost of living crisis has caused you to fall into debt, bankruptcy might be able to help. Our Arizona zero bankruptcy firm has dedicated and knowledgeable staff and attorneys who will fight to clear your debts with as few negative repercussions as possible. Learn more about the bankruptcy process and see if you qualify for our Zero Down payment option by scheduling your free consultation at 602-609-7000.

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Groceries That Will Become More Expensive With Tariffs

  • Avocados: This delicious green fruit is high in healthy fat and can be a quick and wholesome breakfast when spread across toast, although some cite this meal as the reason millennials can’t afford to buy houses. It is also a key ingredient in guacamole and several other Mexican dishes. Mexico is where the United States gets 90% of its avocados from, so their already notoriously high price will be increasing soon. 
  • Maple syrup: This product is best known for drizzling atop pancakes and waffles, but it can also be used to bring sweetness to a variety of dishes. Because it is supplied from Canada, it will be affected by Trump’s tariffs. This product is more shelf stable than many of the other groceries on this list, so you can stock up when you find a good deal. 
  • Bell peppers: This is another produce item that commonly finds its way to American grocery stores via Mexico. If stuffed bell peppers are a favorite recipe in your house, it may be time to find an alternative stuffable vegetable like onions or zucchini. 
  • Beer (Modelo): Modelo is the number one selling brand of beer in the United States, but it is about to get more expensive because it is imported from Mexico. Only time will tell if Modelo fans will remain loyal to their brand or switch to American-made beer to cut back on spending. 
  • Whisky: Canada is a top supplier of whisky as well as common ingredients in spirituous liquors like barley. If you’ve been meaning to cut back on your drinking and your spending, now is an opportune time to do so. 
  • Soda: It isn’t just alcoholic beverages that will be affected by the tariffs. Tariffs on aluminum raise the cost of aluminum cans rather than their contents, but that price hike still gets passed on to the consumer. 
  • Meat: Canada is one of the main exporters of meat to the United States. That means that tariffs on Canadian products will cause the price of meat to go up. It may be smart to stock up on meat products when you can find a good deal and keep it in the freezer. Beef, pork, and poultry are among the meats imported from Canada and Mexico. 
  • Strawberries: It seems like the list of common produce items that come from Mexico is never-ending. Whether you like your strawberries on a shortcake, in a smoothie, or on their own as a simple snack, you can expect your grocery bill to go up if you can’t find an alternative thanks to Trump’s tariffs. 
  • Tomatoes: Although tomatoes are more commonly associated with Italian recipes, the United States depends heavily on Mexico for its tomato supply. If you’ve ever had fresh pico de gallo in Mexico, you probably won’t be surprised that tomato is a common Mexican export that will be affected by the tariffs. While it’s simple enough to replace some vegetables in your recipes, tomatoes are difficult to replicate and sneak their way into several recipes as tomato sauce or tomato paste. Even the price of ketchup is expected to increase as a reflection of these tariff price hikes. 
  • Tequila: The best way to enjoy a taco is with a margarita that is as big as your face. But that will become even more expensive now due to tequila being a Mexican import. If you can’t live without a spicy margarita with a Tajin rim or a smoky pineapple mezcal-rita, set your alcohol budget accordingly. 
  • Grains: Beige food fans may have read this list so far and wondered if their grocery budget will be affected by the tariffs. But the United States imports wheats and oats from Canada, which means the price of bread, cereal, pasta, and other grains products is set to increase. 
  • Tropical fruits: Mangoes, papayas, and other tropical fruits largely make their way to our shelves from Mexico. You can stock up on frozen fruits for smoothies, but fresh tropical fruits will become an occasional and pricy treat with Trump’s tariffs. Fruit price increases will also bring up the cost of fruit juices. 
  • Sugar: Mexico and Canada are two of the United States’ main sugar suppliers. Increasing sugar prices can increase the price of so many other groceries that have sugar as an ingredient. If you enjoy baking or sweet treats in general, you can expect your grocery bill to increase along with the tariffs. 

Foods Produced In The United States

Careful meal planning, couponing, and other strategies that don’t stray away from your usual diet can only go so far. If you’re looking to avoid tariff price hikes at the grocery store, your best bet is to focus on food products that come from the United States. This might mean finding some new recipes or tweaking ones you already enjoy to rely more on American ingredients. Some of those include:

  • Corn
  • Wheat
  • Diary milk
  • Soybeans
  • Beets
  • Potatoes
  • Grapes
  • Oranges
  • Apples
  • Lettuce
  • Turkey

Can’t Afford To Eat? Consider Bankruptcy. 

Before Trump’s tariffs were even mentioned, grocery costs were already considered a huge issue in our country. Filing for bankruptcy can’t reduce your grocery bill or increase your income to make food shopping more affordable. But if you have fallen on hard times and found yourself in a hole of debt, it can take a little extra help to get yourself out of it. Filing for bankruptcy also triggers the automatic stay, which prevents your creditors from taking actions against you like lawsuits, vehicle repossessions, and more. Even if bankruptcy is just a distant possibility for you, our skilled bankruptcy team can review your situation to let you know what the indicators are that will tell you that it’s time to file. Discuss your debt relief possibilities with an experienced Phoenix and Tucson zero down bankruptcy lawyer today. Call 602-609-7000 to schedule your free consultation by phone.

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