Tariffs and Harvesters: What You Need to Know

Information is accurate as of 3/24/25 

Tariffs are taxes imposed by a government on imported goods. They make foreign products more expensive, encouraging consumers to buy domestic alternatives.  

Governments use tariffs for several reasons: to protect domestic industries from foreign competition, to generate revenue or to retaliate against unfair trade practices. However, when a tariff is applied, importers must pay the tax, not the country of origin, which can often lead to higher prices for consumers. 

Harvesters has currently not felt much of an effect from new tariffs, and it is hard to know yet how much we will be impacted. However, we can see the possible impact on the horizon. 

There are some goods that we have historically been able to purchase directly from Canada and Mexico at a rate lower than we can domestically, such as canola oil or various dry goods. Tariffs on these countries will mean we will either be paying a higher amount for the same goods or have to seek alternatives, and it will reduce the amount of total food that we can afford. In addition, the universal aluminum/steel tariff is expected to drive up the cost of all canned goods, which make up a good chunk of the food we have on hand at any given time.  

The Federal Reserve’s latest economic projections already showed higher inflation and slower growth in 2025, largely a result of expected trade policy. This increasing inflation is putting even more strain on families that were already near the brink of needing food assistance and whom we are grateful to be able to serve, but it does mean that our supply is going to need to increase to meet demand. 

We will update this page as we learn more in the coming weeks/months, as things are shifting quickly, and we are reacting in real time. The bottom line is, if you can afford it, we need your support of food or financial donations more than ever!