More Expensive Food and Fewer Workers: The Impact of Tariffs and Deportations in the United States

• The impact of tariffs and deportations is already hitting the economy: food prices are rising and labor is scarce.
• It affects the price of vegetables, job stability, and the cost of living for millions of Hispanic families.
• Supermarkets and employers will soon pass the cost on to consumers and workers.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that wholesale prices of fresh and dried vegetables rose 38.9% from June to July.

It is the steepest summer month increase in nearly a century.

Farmers are facing tariffs, unpredictable weather conditions, and a shortage of labor.

The combination has driven up vegetable prices and is pressuring supermarkets that are currently absorbing the increases.

Why is agricultural labor under threat?

The Economic Policy Institute (EPI) projected the following in its study:

If Trump’s plans are carried out, the country will lose 3.3 million immigrant employees and 2.6 million U.S.-born workers.

The hardest-hit sectors would be: construction, childcare, and agricultural labor, which is crucial for food harvesting.

States with the largest immigrant populations—California, Florida, New York, and Texas—face the greatest risk of losing millions of jobs, which reduces their productive capacity and the revenues of local businesses.

How do deportations affect the Latino community?

For Hispanic families, the effect is felt on two fronts: more expensive food and less stable jobs.

Supermarkets, which operate with tight margins, will at some point pass part of the increase on to consumers (experts estimate this will happen in the coming months).

At the same time, mass deportations generate job insecurity in sectors where Hispanics make up the majority. This translates into fewer job opportunities and downward pressure on wages.

Practical tips to face the impact of tariffs and deportations

• Smart shopping: compare prices on apps and in local markets.
• Collective saving: organize community purchases to reduce expenses.
• Access to jobs: connect with official programs:
  • CareerOneStop (Department of Labor): 1-877-872-5627
  • Job Corps (youth): 1-800-733-5627
  • National Agricultural Hotline, Department of Labor: 1-877-872-5627
  • Job training: free courses in English, health, and construction.

What food associations are saying

Phil Kafarakis, president of IMFA The Food Away From Home Association, warned in a statement to NBC News that the combination of tariffs and deportations is already showing a “horribly, incredibly shocking” effect.

“Now they will no longer have enough workers in the fields to harvest the crops as they come in,” he explained, raising alarms about the future of the food industry.

Expectations in the coming months

Experts predict that consumers will soon feel the increase at the checkout counter. Although stores are trying to absorb costs, they won’t be able to sustain it for long.

The shortage of agricultural labor and deportation policies will continue to limit production.

Hispanic families must prepare for a scenario of more expensive food and fewer job opportunities.