How Trump’s tariffs will “result in considerable price increases” for these products at Costco supermarkets

As President Donald Trump’s tariff regime takes effect, economists are warning that prices will likely increase. Though initially played down by the White House, this outcome has since been accepted, with officials explaining that the momentary pain is necessary to create a global trading system that is “fair” for the United States.

Shoppers at Costco, who purchased many products, including food, in bulk to pay a lower price per unit, may begin to see their grocery bill rise, as many of the company’s white brand, Kirkland Signature, relies on imports to deliver savings.

A 2.5-pound bag of Kirkland Signature Fancy Whole Cashews sells at Costco for $16.29, and according to the label, may contain nuts from Benin, Brazil, Burkina-Faso, Cambodia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, India, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Mozambique, Nigeria, Tanzania, Togo, and Vietnam. The cashews are sent to Vietnam for processing and packaging and then imported to the US. The Trump administration rescinded most of the punitive reciprocal tariffs it had announced on April 2, which would have included a 47 percent duty on goods from Vietnam. Instead, US importers of this product, and others from Vietnam, will pay a 10 percent baseline tariff.

The 10 percent tariff will affect imports from close to all countries that Kirkland sources from, with a few exceptions. Increases in prices were confirmed by Nari Viswanathan, who told Readers Digest that “recent tariffs will result in considerable price increases for everyday Costco items.” Viswanathan serves as the senior director of supply chain strategy at Coupa, which RD described as an “AI Total Spend Management platform.”

The unique situation of imported goods from Canada, Mexico, and China

Kirkland Signature relies on imports from Canada and Mexico, the US’ largest trading partners. However, since there is a trade agreement between the three countries, first NAFTA and then the USMCA, many of the products are excluded from the Trump tariff regime. This means the Costco shoppers buying coffee or paper products like toilet paper may be sparred for now.

On the flip side, imports from China could become more expensive much more quickly. Because Beijing chose to retaliate against the reciprocal tariffs imposed by Washington, the Trump administration has singled the country out and levied 145 percent tariffs on most non-electronic related exports. Though there aren’t too many food products coming from China, lovers of pinenuts might be out of luck. The Kirkland Signature Organic Pine Nuts, which retails for $27.49 for a 1.5-pound bag, are imported from China. Depending on the margin Costco earns on this item, they may choose to increase the price, though the company could decide to share the cost with the consumer rather than passing along the entire increase.

The Kirkland Signature foods could increase in price as a result of tariffs

Aside from imports from Canada, China, and Mexico, most products coming into the country will face the 10 percent baseline tariff. Projecting how much this could increase prices depends on how much of the tariff Costco is willing to absorb before passing costs along to their customers.

These were the prices on imported Kirkland Signature brand foods as of Monday, April 14, and can serve as a reference for those looking to compare prices over time at a later date. Aside from those products listed above, Costco shoppers should be aware that although the product might be packaged in the United States, or primarily made in the US, there could still be imported ingredients involved in the production process.

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