LOS ANGELES — Customers of Asian supermarkets and specialty grocery stores across the United States are expressing their concerns over the future of food prices following a recent announcement from President Donald Trump regarding substantial tariffs on imports from various countries. This news has left many loyal patrons of chains like 99 Ranch Market and H Mart wondering how their grocery bills will be affected, particularly for popular ethnically specific items that many rely on for their cultural cuisines.

On a recent afternoon, bags of rice were stacked neatly for sale at the Mitsuwa Marketplace in Edgewater, New Jersey, as shoppers filled their baskets with their favorite items. Many Asian Americans and immigrants rely on these markets for specialty brands such as Kewpie mayonnaise from Japan and light soy sauce from China. Social media has become a platform for shared sentiments, with one TikTok user lamenting, “We’re all going to be crying in H Mart,” referencing a bestselling memoir by Korean American artist Michelle Zauner, while others shared videos showcasing their “pre-tariff hauls” from these supermarkets.

The new tariff rates, which took effect on Wednesday, impose a 10% baseline tax on products from around the globe, with particularly high rates affecting several Asian countries, including South Korea at 25%, Vietnam at 47%, and Cambodia at an alarming 49%. The tariffs on Chinese goods were raised to an unprecedented 104% after China retaliated with counter-tariffs, vowing to fight back against what they termed an unfair trade war.

At a 99 Ranch Market located near the UCLA campus, regular shopper Artis Chitchamnueng expressed his frustrations, stating, “I think Trump is just playing a lot of mind games, trying to take control of the market.” This sentiment resonates with many customers who have taken to social media to express uncertainty about their ability to continue shopping at their beloved supermarket if prices significantly increase.

Despite major grocery chains often carrying similar products, it is common for specialty supermarkets to offer lower prices. For instance, an 18-ounce bottle of Lee Kum Kee Panda oyster sauce is priced at $3.99 at 99 Ranch Market, while the same item retails for $4.79 at Safeway and a staggering $10.45 at Walmart.

These specialty stores are more than just places to buy food; they serve as a source of comfort for immigrants and international students longing for the flavors of home. Tony He, a UCLA international student, expressed his confusion regarding the tariffs but affirmed, “As long as I need Asian food, I usually come here.”

The landscape of grocery shopping for culturally specific foods in the U.S. has evolved dramatically over the years. According to market research firm IBISWorld, international supermarkets generated approximately $55.8 billion in revenue last year. The sector has seen a consistent annual growth rate of nearly 3% since 2019, with forecasts predicting revenues could exceed $64 billion by 2029. This growth has been attributed to the rising population of Asian and Hispanic immigrants, as well as younger consumers seeking new and diverse flavors.

However, the recent tariffs could disrupt this growth trajectory. Nancy Qian, an economics professor at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, highlighted that many types of rice sold in mainstream supermarkets are imported, and higher tariffs may force consumers to seek alternatives for their favorite products. Reflecting on her parents' experiences after moving to America from China in the 1980s, Qian noted, “They couldn’t really get the same type of rice as they did back home, so they switched to a different type.”

Independent grocery stores that play a crucial role in smaller Asian American communities are also bracing for the potential fallout from the tariffs. Mohammed Islam, who has owned Not Just Spices, a small South Asian grocery in Providence, Rhode Island, for over two decades, expressed concerns over rising costs for staple products like basmati rice sourced from India and Pakistan, as well as Kalijira rice from Bangladesh. “When things are cheaper, people usually buy extra. Now they buy exactly what they need,” he explained, indicating a shift in consumer behavior due to uncertainty surrounding prices.

President Trump has imposed various tariffs impacting products from Bangladesh (37%), India (26%), Pakistan (29%), and a staggering 44% on imports from Sri Lanka, known for its cinnamon and spices. If compelled to raise prices to accommodate these tariffs, Islam believes his customers will understand, stating, “People don’t complain because it’s already in the news. It’s not like I’m the one who is raising the price.”

Customers frequenting Hispanic supermarkets are also likely to be adjusting their shopping habits. Trump has threatened a 25% tariff on most imports from Mexico, which has prompted shoppers to consider their purchases more carefully. In Phoenix, roommates Andrew Colvin and Mario Aviles voiced their concerns while shopping at Los Altos Ranch Market, where they typically buy produce and snacks sourced from Mexico. “We expect pretty much everything to go up,” Colvin remarked, as he stocked up on his favorite canned coconut water.

Aviles remarked on the changes he anticipates if prices rise significantly, stating, “No more avocados, no more mangoes, no more oranges.” As experts suggest, it may be wise for consumers to stock up on non-perishable items while being mindful of their financial constraints; however, they should avoid engaging in the panic buying that characterized the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

While the extent of the tariff impacts on U.S. consumers remains uncertain, researchers indicate that any price increases will likely hit low-income families the hardest. “These are regressive taxes,” noted Steven Durlauf, director of the University of Chicago’s Stone Center for Research on Wealth Inequality and Mobility, emphasizing that the affluent do not spend all their income while lower-income households do.

Northwestern University’s Qian pointed out that the broader economic implications of the tariffs could potentially bring customers back to traditional cultural enclaves within major cities, reminiscent of the historical significance of Chinatowns and Little Italys. “Those places became really important for their communities because that was the only place where you could get the things you wanted,” she said.

___ Tang reported from Phoenix. Associated Press video producer Akira Kumamoto contributed to this report from Los Angeles, California, along with Associated Press writer Matt O’Brien from Providence, Rhode Island.