JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – It’s a question many Americans are asking: How will the increased tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China impact shoppers' pockets at grocery stores?
Explainer: Here’s what tariffs are and how they work
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The United States imposed 25% tariffs on goods imported from Mexico and Canada on Tuesday.
Tariffs from China increased from 10% to 20% as well.
News4JAX hit the streets to see how shoppers were feeling about the increases.
“I’m a single mom. I have two teenagers. They eat me out of house and home already,” Ashley Hitchcock said. “So, we’re going to have to figure out more meal planning and more budgeting on an already strict budget.”
Shoppers at Jacksonville grocery stores complained about the increases, stating that groceries were already high.
“I spent $100 more today than what I expected to spend. That was just today. I can imagine it going up higher,” Norma Hitchcock said.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture, a range of U.S. grocery products are sourced from those three countries. Fresh fruits and vegetables are expected to see an immediate price increase.
Strawberries, raspberries, avocados, and tomatoes are the largest agricultural exports from Mexico to the U.S., the USDA reported.
“If I go in the store and see some fruit I like and it’s expensive, I’m going to back away from it because it’s too much,” Shakala Maultsby said.
In 2023, the U.S. imported $45 billion in fruits and vegetables from Mexico. That same year, Canada exported $40 billion in products that included frozen vegetables, grains and fees, and also red meat that mainly consisted of beef and veal.
“I’m hoping that we work this out with Canada and Mexico and keep prices where they are. I hope we reach a quick resolution,” Robert Robinson said.
News4JAX reached out to several Northeast Florida grocery stores about the effects of the tariffs.
Southeastern Grocers, the parent company of Winn-Dixie, issued this statement:
We recognize the needs of our customers have not changed, and providing quality products at an exceptional value remains a top priority. We are acutely aware of the potential impacts on both the affordability and availability of food products with the implementation of new tariffs.
Our customers appreciate products made and sourced in the United States, but also rely on the availability of a diverse range of products year-round, which often depends on imports. In anticipation of potential tariffs, we have been working diligently with our supplier partners to minimize cost increases and supply chain challenges – and we will continue to do all we can.
At Southeastern Grocers, we remain steadfast in our commitment to be the grocer our customers can always count on to deliver the value and quality they expect, now and in the future.
Southern Grocers Inc.