Tariffs Are Coming for Your Pantry—What to Stock Up On Before Grocery Prices Spike

The grocery store is already a budget battleground for many families, but it could get worse—and soon. New U.S. tariffs on imports from countries like China, Mexico, and the European Union are poised to push prices even higher on everyday essentials. From coffee and canned tuna to batteries and baby formula, a long list of products could see double-digit price jumps in the coming months.

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Experts are urging shoppers to act now by stocking up on certain goods before the next wave of price hikes hits. The potential impact isn’t just theoretical—it’s rooted in trade policy decisions already set in motion. Whether you live paycheck to paycheck or just like to keep your pantry stocked, here’s what you’ll want to grab now to avoid paying more later.

New Tariffs Are About to Hit the Checkout Line

President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that the U.S. will impose sweeping new tariffs on virtually all imported goods, launching what experts are calling a full-scale global trade war. The tariffs—set to take effect immediately—start at 10% across the board and rise as high as 54% for imports from China, with additional penalties potentially pushing those rates even higher for some countries.

For everyday consumers, the bottom line is simple: prices are going up. According to an estimate by the nonpartisan Tax Foundation, the average American household could end up paying an extra $2,100 per year because of these new tariffs.

“If tariffs are imposed on inputs or ingredients, the cost will ultimately be passed on to consumers,” said William Reinsch, a trade expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, in an interview with CNN Business.

Even before this announcement, food prices were already climbing. Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows grocery prices were up 1.2% year-over-year in February 2025, with staples like beef, coffee, and eggs showing some of the sharpest increases. With tariffs now hitting everything from food packaging to international shipping, those increases are likely to accelerate quickly.

Canned Goods and Shelf-Stable Foods

Canned tuna, soup, beans, and tomatoes are pantry staples for good reason. They’re cheap, long-lasting, and easy to turn into a meal. But with tariffs likely to impact imported metals like aluminum and steel, the cost of canned foods could rise significantly.

Most food cans are made with steel or aluminum, and both metals are on the list of materials facing new or expanded tariffs. Even if the food inside the can is produced in the U.S., the packaging costs are likely to go up, forcing companies to raise prices across the board.

“If you’re someone who uses canned beans or soup regularly, it’s smart to buy in bulk now before those packaging costs start trickling down,” said analyst Robert Hughes from American Institute for Economic Research in a recent blog post (source).

Coffee and Tea

If your morning cup of coffee is non-negotiable, it might be time to stock your shelves. The U.S. imports the majority of its coffee beans, and any disruption to global trade—from tariffs to climate-related issues—can send prices soaring.

Brazil and Colombia, two of the biggest coffee exporters, are already dealing with unpredictable harvests due to weather changes. Combine that with increased shipping costs and potential tariffs on coffee processing equipment or packaging, and your daily brew could cost a lot more soon.

According to the International Coffee Organization, global coffee prices rose nearly 10% in the first quarter of 2025 due to low harvest yields and supply chain issues.

Tea drinkers aren’t off the hook either. Much of the tea sold in the U.S. is imported from China, India, and Sri Lanka—countries that could be affected by new tariffs or export restrictions.

Baby Formula and Nutritional Supplements

The baby formula crisis of 2022 taught many American families how fragile supply chains can be. While domestic production has since increased, many ingredients, especially specialty nutrients and additives, are still imported from abroad.

Tariffs on those imported ingredients could make baby formula—and adult nutritional supplements like Ensure—more expensive and potentially harder to find. Experts recommend keeping a modest backup supply, especially if your household relies on a specific brand or formulation.

Even some over-the-counter vitamins could see price hikes if their ingredients or capsules are sourced from countries like China or India.

Cooking Oils and Spices

Cooking oils are another category to watch. The U.S. imports significant amounts of palm oil, olive oil, and specialty oils like avocado oil, all of which could become pricier due to trade restrictions, environmental regulations, or geopolitical issues.

Spices like cinnamon, turmeric, and black pepper are mostly grown in South and Southeast Asia. While they’re typically low in weight, meaning less impact from shipping costs, new tariffs or trade slowdowns could still disrupt supply and push prices up.

If you’ve got a favorite imported hot sauce or seasoning blend, you may want to grab an extra bottle or two while they’re still reasonably priced.

Batteries and Other Household Essentials

It’s not just food that’s likely to get more expensive. Everyday items like AA batteries, lightbulbs, and even some cleaning products could see price hikes if tariffs hit the components or raw materials used to make them.

If you use rechargeable batteries for your devices or rely on battery-powered tools and flashlights, it’s worth picking up extras now. Ditto for paper goods and personal care items that use imported packaging or plastic components.

Even seemingly unrelated products like pet food may be affected, especially if the packaging is imported or the ingredients come from abroad. Keeping a backup stash of shelf-stable pet food could save you both money and stress down the road.

A Word on Responsible Stockpiling

To be clear, no one is saying you need to hoard toilet paper like it’s March 2020. But if there are items you use regularly—and that have a long shelf life—it’s reasonable to stock up while prices are still relatively stable. Consider tracking prices on the products you use most often. A few extra jars of peanut butter or cans of soup might not feel like a big deal today, but they could save you a surprising amount over time.

The Bottom Line

Inflation may be slowing in some areas, but new tariffs threaten to reignite price hikes on everyday goods. And unlike some other forms of inflation, tariff-driven increases are often baked into the supply chain for the long haul. Once prices go up, they rarely come back down.

If you’ve been looking for a reason to stock the pantry, this might be it. You don’t have to go overboard, but thinking ahead now could mean fewer unpleasant surprises at checkout later this year. Whether it’s your morning coffee, your toddler’s formula, or just the batteries in your remote—this is one moment where planning ahead could pay off.