How Trump’s Tariffs Hit Gourmet Food: The Hidden Costs on European Cheeses, Meats, and Butter

If you’re a fan of gourmet European foods—think aged Parmigiano-Reggiano, Iberico ham, or luxurious French butter—you may will notice your favorites creeping up in price or disappearing from store shelves. Why? The answer lies in a political and economic move that’s shaking the European gourmet food supply chain: Trump-era tariffs on European imports.

In this post, we’ll break down what these tariffs mean, how they’re affecting prices on gourmet products in the U.S., and what both food lovers and small businesses can expect in the years ahead. But first, let’s take a look back.

Trump’s First Term Tariffs 

Back in 2019, the Trump administration imposed up to 25% tariffs on a wide range of European goods, in retaliation for subsidies granted to Airbus by the EU. While aircraft were the main battleground, the collateral damage extended deep into the culinary world.

Affected products included:

• European cheeses (like Roquefort, Manchego, and Gorgonzola)

• Cured meats (such as prosciutto and salami)

• High-fat dairy (butter, cream)

• Wines, olives, and even some jams

These tariffs hit importers, distributors, restaurants, and ultimately consumers in the wallet. I remember the price of Manchego cheese went from $9 per pound to $14. 

Europe is the world’s cheese capital, and U.S. importers rely heavily on it to supply authentic products. With a 25% tariff slapped on iconic varieties like Gruyère, Comté, and Stilton, prices soared almost overnight.

• Retailers were forced to raise prices or reduce inventory.

• Restaurants and delis either absorbed costs or removed premium items from menus.

• Consumers began to shy away from previously accessible gourmet options.

According to industry reports, some cheese imports dropped by as much as 35% in the months following the tariffs.

Meats: Prosciutto, Salami & the Cost of Luxury

Italian cured meats—Prosciutto di Parma, Speck, Bresaola—are culinary treasures. But tariffs made them up to 30% more expensive by the time they reached store shelves. Smaller importers struggled to maintain stock, while U.S. charcuterie producers saw a temporary boost.

However, for many chefs and customers, there’s no true substitute for the real thing. The result? Reduced variety and authenticity in a once-thriving gourmet market.

While some relief came under the Biden administration, not all tariffs were rolled back. Uncertainty remains high, and gourmet food suppliers continue to operate in a volatile import environment. The result is a cautious market, with importers diversifying sources or pushing for domestic alternatives—though rarely at the same level of quality.

New Wave of Tariffs - 2025 Proposed Reciprocal Tariffs

Many of you have been asking about the recently announced tariffs and what they mean for our imported products. Like many, we’re still working through the uncertainties and complexities of the official announcement. We expect additional guidance and possible adjustments in the days and weeks ahead. Current proposed reciprocal tariff for EU is set for 20% but it is not clear how it will be implemented.

Here’s what we do know right now:

1. Tariff increases won't take effect immediately. They only apply once products arrive in the U.S. under the new tariff rate. So, price changes may take 2-3 month  to materialize.

2. Everyone is absorbing some of the impact. How much and where that happens is still being figured out. We anticipate it will be a few weeks before we have clear answers.

3. Please avoid panic buying. It’s not necessary at this stage and may do more harm than good.

4. These tariffs are unlikely to be permanent - it is our hope. Still, we must treat them as the “new normal” for now. There is a hope that it is being a sort of leverage for certain trade deals but who knows.

5. The situation is fluid and unpredictable. Rather than speculating, we’re staying focused on facts as they emerge.

6. We’re fortunate to offer a wide selection of domestic products. If you're open to exploring domestic alternatives, we’re more than happy to assist.

We expect the tariff landscape to evolve, or resolve in the near future but based on the previous set of tariffs (from 2019) we expect that the cost of European Imported foods will go up by 20% if tariffs are implemented. Additionally, some European products just disappear from American soil.

Who Suffers the Most?

While large retailers may have some cushion, small businesses and independent stores will be hit hardest. Many operate on thin margins and couldn’t absorb the sudden increase in costs while the demand is clearly subdued due to economic uncertainty.

What’s Next for Gourmet Food Lovers?

If you’re passionate about European gourmet products, here’s what you can do:

1. Support local specialty shops that continue to import despite the tariffs.

2. Stay informed on trade policy updates that affect food imports.

3. Explore domestic alternative - artisanal cheesemaking in USA exploded in last decade and we have got some good cheeses (shop here), meats (shop here), butter.

Final Thoughts

Trump’s tariffs on European gourmet foods sent shockwaves through the world of cheese, butter, and cured meats. While we will have to adapt, we hope that flow of European foods we love won't be interrupted and the prices stay reasonable.