Americans, including Southern California families, could feel the impact in a few days after a 25% tariff on goods from Mexico and Canada came into effect Tuesday.
According to USDA data, Mexico supplies more than 50% of fresh fruit imports and almost 70% of fresh vegetables imports to the United States. Tariff hikes mean that staples of food items like tomatoes, onions, strawberries and even avocados become more expensive.
A pound of strawberries cost $3.99, while one avocado cost $1.49pm on Tuesday at the Albertsons grocery store in Long Beach. However, if Southern California families absorb the 25% tariff, the same amount of strawberries would be $4.98, and the price of one avocado would rise by over 35 cents.
Some Long Beach grocery shoppers said they were already afraid of yet another price rise in the store.
“It’s going to be difficult,” said Diane Gregory, a woman with Social Security. “Things are even higher.”
Another shopper named Jill said he was afraid that healthy foods would become more expensive.
“We should encourage people to eat those things. 25% are honest.
Southern California producers said they are supporting it at higher prices.
“We have to accept the fact that it will happen,” said Montsemaldonada, produced by Gomez. “What can we do about it? 80% of our stores come from Mexico. If that happens, we’ll let consumers know.”
The retail giant also predicts higher prices from products from Mexico, China and Canada. Consumer costs will be higher next week.
“We rely on Mexico during the winter. We try to make sure we do everything we can to protect pricing. But if there is a 25% tariff, those prices will rise,” Target CEO Brian Cornell told CNBC on Tuesday morning.
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