1. Soybeans: A Surprising Shift in America’s Most Planted Crop
Soybeans have been at the heart of America’s farming industry for decades, but the Trump administration’s tariffs on China changed that landscape dramatically. Before the trade war, China was America’s largest soybean buyer, purchasing about $12 billion worth annually. When tariffs hit, China quickly turned to Brazil and Argentina. As a result, U.S. soybean exports to China dropped by over 50% in 2018. Farmers saw storage bins fill up while prices plummeted, and many shifted to alternative crops like corn. This change has affected everything from tofu to vegetable oil, as American soybeans became less attractive on the global market. The ripple effect has even led to shortages and higher prices for soy-based products domestically.
2. Pork: The Price You Pay for Bacon
Pork producers in the U.S. have long relied on Chinese consumers, but tariffs of up to 62% made American pork far more expensive in China. This forced many producers to look for new markets or face unsold inventory. During the peak of the trade war, pork prices in the U.S. dropped while they soared in China, especially after the outbreak of African swine fever there. American bacon and ham became cheaper for U.S. shoppers for a time, but some farmers struggled to break even. At the same time, the shifting supply chains led to more imported pork from Europe in U.S. grocery stores.
3. Apples: Bitter Results for Sweet Fruit
Washington apples are iconic, but tariffs on American fruit exports have hit growers hard. China and India, both significant apple importers, imposed retaliatory tariffs as high as 70%. In the 2018-2019 season, exports to China dropped by nearly 80%. With fewer options to sell abroad, growers flooded the U.S. market, causing prices to fall. Consumers may have noticed more promotions at grocery stores, but orchard owners faced tough decisions about planting and harvesting.
4. Cheese: Dairy Industry Feels the Squeeze
Cheese exports to China and Mexico, two of America’s biggest markets, fell sharply after new tariffs were introduced. For example, tariffs on American cheese to China increased from 12% to over 45%. Wisconsin cheese makers, in particular, took a hit, with some reporting export losses of more than 50%. The abundance of cheese led to falling prices at home, but smaller dairies struggled to survive, and some went out of business altogether. As a result, you might have seen more discount cheese in stores—but behind that, a lot of hardship for local producers.
5. Almonds: Crunch Time for California Growers
California produces over 80% of the world’s almonds, and China was one of its fastest-growing markets. However, Chinese tariffs of up to 50% on American almonds made them less competitive. Growers saw shipments fall by as much as 25% in 2019. The glut in domestic supply led to lower prices, meaning cheaper almond snacks and milks, but at the cost of squeezed profits for farmers. Some almond orchards were left with unharvested crops due to the lack of demand.
6. Lobster: An Unexpected Catch
Maine’s lobster industry was booming, with China buying a fifth of all U.S. lobster exports. When tariffs hit, Chinese buyers switched to Canadian lobster, which faced no extra duties. In 2018, U.S. lobster sales to China dropped by more than 80%. This sudden collapse meant lobster prices fell in the U.S., giving local consumers a temporary treat—but many fishermen lost their livelihoods. Some tried to market directly to other countries, but few could replace the scale of Chinese demand.
7. Oranges and Citrus Fruits: Squeezed by Global Competition
Florida and California citrus growers had started to recover from disease and hurricanes when tariffs landed. China and the European Union, once big fans of American oranges and grapefruits, slapped on tariffs as high as 40%. U.S. citrus exports plummeted, leaving growers with excess fruit and lower prices at home. At the same time, imported citrus from South America and Spain started appearing more frequently in American grocery stores.
8. Steel: The Invisible Ingredient Behind Every Can
Steel tariffs didn’t just hit carmakers; they affected food packaging too. With higher steel prices, the cost of canned foods like soup, tomatoes, and beans rose. A report from the Canned Food Alliance showed that the cost of steel for cans went up by over 30% after tariffs were imposed. Manufacturers passed those costs on to consumers, so your next can of beans or tuna likely became a little more expensive—even if you didn’t realize why.
9. Whiskey: Distillers Face a Hangover
American whiskey, especially bourbon from Kentucky, became a target for European and Chinese tariffs of up to 25%. Export sales dropped by nearly a third in 2019. Small craft distilleries were hit hardest, as they relied more on overseas sales to grow their brands. Domestically, you may have seen more promotions or “Buy American” campaigns, but prices for premium whiskeys edged up due to lost markets and increased competition at home.
10. Tomatoes: Souring the Sauce
U.S. tomato growers, particularly in Florida, were caught in the crossfire as Mexico retaliated with tariffs on American produce. At the same time, the U.S. imposed new duties on Mexican tomatoes, which led to higher prices for salsa, pasta sauce, and fresh tomatoes. Consumers paid about 20% more for tomatoes in some regions during the trade dispute. The complexity of the back-and-forth left shoppers confused and growers struggling to plan for the next harvest.
11. Peanuts: Not Just for Butter Anymore
Peanuts are a staple of American snacks, but tariffs on U.S. nuts in China and Europe led to a dramatic decrease in exports. Farmers, mostly in Georgia and Alabama, produced more peanuts than the domestic market could absorb. This resulted in cheaper peanut butter and roasted peanuts, but also forced some farms to scale back or diversify into other crops. The long-term impact has been a less stable market for one of America’s favorite ingredients.
12. Corn: More Than Just Ethanol
Corn is used in everything from animal feed to sweeteners. When tariffs disrupted exports to Mexico and China, American corn piled up in storage. Prices dropped by nearly 15% between 2018 and 2020, making corn syrup and related products cheaper for food manufacturers but hurting family farmers. Some switched to growing soybeans or wheat, but uncertainty about future policies left everyone guessing.
13. Beef: Steaks Under Pressure
China and Canada both imposed tariffs on American beef. Although the U.S. beef industry is vast, even a small drop in exports can mean big changes at home. Ranchers saw prices fall, and some shifted to selling more ground beef domestically. At the same time, specialty cuts became more expensive as processors tried to recoup losses. Consumers may have noticed lower prices on certain cuts, but the overall impact was volatility on both sides of the butcher counter.
14. Coffee: Brewing Up Price Changes
Coffee isn’t grown in the U.S. on a large scale, but tariffs on imported steel and aluminum used in coffee machines and packaging affected prices. Some coffee companies reported a 10% increase in costs, which they passed on to customers. Coffee shop owners also found it harder to source affordable equipment, pushing up the price of your morning cup.
15. Seafood: Shrimp and Crab Take a Hit
Tariffs on Chinese seafood—and retaliatory tariffs on American shellfish—reshaped the seafood section in grocery stores. Imports of Chinese shrimp and tilapia became more expensive, while American crab and lobster became less competitive abroad. Some seafood processors began sourcing more from Vietnam or India to keep prices reasonable. For consumers, this meant new varieties and sometimes higher prices, but for fishermen and processors, it was a season of uncertainty.
