06-02-2025
Akron-area grocers envision rising prices with planned U.S. tariffs on Canada, Mexico
Akron-area grocers envision rising prices with planned U.S. tariffs on Canada, Mexico
Seven Grains Natural Market in Tallmadge sells natural and organic foods and products, including fresh fruits and vegetables but also products with multiple ingredients — supplements, hand creams and shampoos among them.
David Krieger, who co-owns Seven Grains with his wife, Gina, showed off a counter where the grocer sells food made from scratch, including chicken and macaroni salad and sub sandwiches.
"Oh, boy, is that good," he said of the avocado pudding.
With President Donald Trump planning to impose 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, products like avocados — of which the U.S. is a net importer from Mexico — could get more expensive.
Krieger walked through store aisles pointing to products that come from the two neighboring countries and discussing impacts planned tariffs could have on his business's finances and its customers' wallets.
"Green beans right here: Mexico," Krieger said. "Those green beans are certified organic, but they're a product of Mexico. They're not coming from the United States. So that would raise that price."
Krieger estimates more than half of Seven Grains' 10,000 or more products are either imported or contain at least one ingredient that is imported.
"We're one of the most competitive retailers around," Krieger said. "And we're small. And yet we're competing with the large players. But if all of a sudden we have tariffs on items coming in from other countries, we will have no choice but to pass that along, and (our competitors) will, too."
Hemp hearts imported from Canada currently priced in the store at $9.99 could have a new price of around $12.50 if the tariff on Canada goes through, for instance, Krieger said.
Margins are tight for grocers, and they're not price-gouging, despite some people's claims, Krieger said.
What's more, he said, there are already issues in the food supply chain, such as high turnover at warehouses, that often have ripple effects.
Krieger said Seven Grains sources very little from China and customers are unlikely to see products on the store's shelves labeled, "Made in China." But he also opposes the recently instituted 10% tax placed on Chinese imports.
"We need good trade partners in our neighbors and overseas," Krieger said. "Tariffs create an argument. Tariffs create conflict. Tariffs create unpredictability. They change the marketplace on a worldwide scale."
The solution? Krieger takes issue with the two-party political system and is proposing a third party that has working citizens' interest in mind.
"A tariff is a tax," he said. "Who's getting taxed? The working citizen."
Mustard Seed CEO confident in ability to address tariff-related issues
Mustard Seed Market & Cafe was founded in 1981 by Phil and Margaret Nabors and has locations in Akron's Highland Square neighborhood and the Montrose shopping area in Bath.
CEO Gabe Nabors said the family business has benefited from remaining small, focusing on selling U.S.-made organic and natural products and maintaining good relationships with suppliers, including local suppliers.
"Will it affect the grocery business in time? I'm sure it will," Nabors said of the imposed and planned tariffs.
It's possible that prices on some Mustard Seed products will increase, he said, but the grocer doesn't always pass prices on to the customer. He added that Mustard Seed recently absorbed costs on egg prices, as egg prices have gone up elsewhere, and that eggs have been selling well at the business.
Mustard Seed's roughly 15,000 products include some from Mexico and Canada, and to a lesser extent, China.
But when it's time to adjust, Nabors said, "we know we can adapt our pricing quicker and faster" than larger grocers.
"We offer 10% off military discount on Tuesdays," he said. "We offer a senior discount, 10% off on Wednesdays. We have an amazing loyalty program. We have many coupons. So we try to find value to our customers on all the products all the time, and sometimes it takes different approaches."
Ohio Farm Bureau spokesman: Tariffs will drive up farm input costs
Tariffs will increase costs and cause uncertainties for farmers and ranchers, Ohio Farm Bureau spokesman Ty Higgins told The Columbus Dispatch.
"We oppose the use of tariffs that drive up the cost of important supplies like fertilizer, or tariffs that limit the export of goods from America's farmers and ranchers," said Ohio Farm Bureau spokesman Ty Higgins. "We are concerned that tariffs can lead to retaliation against U.S. agricultural exports. This can result in restricted markets and lower prices for farmers and ranchers."
Higgins added that "more uncertainty is not helpful to Ohio farmers as they also deal with the challenges of a weaker farm economy, an outdated farm bill, extreme weather and now possible trade retaliation."
Patrick Williams covers growth and development for the Akron Beacon Journal. He can be reached by email at pwilliams@ or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @pwilliamsOH.
