"The price of most organic food could jump this fall because of new policies and tariffs on imported organic sugar, frustrating manufacturers who say the actions won't help sugar growers but could put some food companies out of business. More than 90% of organic sugar used by U.S. manufacturers is imported. The price of that product increased in August when the Trump administration imposed steep trade tariffs, and will rise even more when high-tier duties on most organic sugar imports take effect Oct. 1. The result, according to the Organic Trade Association, is that the price of organic sugar is expected to soar by an average of 30%, increasing costs of producing most organic foods - everything from yogurt to cookies."
"The politics of organic food are intersectional, having evolved over the last decade from a largely coastal, liberal-coded foodstuff to a core staple of millennials and Gen Z. In February 2025, food-service researcher Acosta Group found that 59% of all shoppers think it's important that their groceries or household products are natural or organic, while 89% of Gen Z and 85% of millennials reported shopping for natural and organic products in the last six months."
New trade duties on imported organic sugar will raise prices, with high-tier duties taking effect Oct. 1 after steep tariffs imposed in August. More than 90% of organic sugar used by U.S. manufacturers is imported. The Organic Trade Association expects organic sugar prices to surge about 30% on average, increasing costs to produce most organic foods such as yogurt and cookies. Manufacturers warn the tariffs will not benefit sugar growers and could force some food companies out of business. Consumer demand for organic products is strong, especially among Gen Z and millennials. The MAHA movement and forthcoming federal dietary guidelines reference organic food and critique ultra-processed foods.
Read at Fortune
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]