Written by Creditvana Editorial Team
Published on Creditvana.com
Pumpkin spice is everywhere. Like clockwork, the season of sweaters and cinnamon ushers in an avalanche of pumpkin-spiced everything — from lattes and donuts to cereal, hummus, and even ice cream.
But your favorite fall flavor might get more expensive — and it has nothing to do with supply chains, inflation, or labor shortages. This time, it’s tariffs.
🍂 A Taste of Fall, With a Side of Global Trade Policy
That comforting pumpkin spice blend — cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and allspice — isn’t just nostalgic. It’s also globally sourced, mostly from countries with warm, tropical climates.
The issue? Many of these countries are facing steep tariffs when exporting spices to the U.S.
And that’s starting to impact the cost of importing — and enjoying — those classic fall flavors.
“Tariffs like these don’t encourage U.S. spice production,” McCormick executives said in a 2025 earnings call. “They just raise costs — for businesses, restaurants, and ultimately, consumers.”
🌍 Where Pumpkin Spice Really Comes From (and What It’s Costing)
Here’s a breakdown of where each spice in your PSL comes from — and what tariff rate they face:
| Spice | Top Export Countries | U.S. Tariff Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Cinnamon | Indonesia, Vietnam, India, Sri Lanka, China | 19%–50% |
| Nutmeg | Indonesia, India, Vietnam, Netherlands | 15%–50% |
| Ginger | China, India, Peru, Thailand, Netherlands | 10%–50% |
| Cloves | Madagascar, Indonesia, Tanzania, UAE | 10%–20% |
| Allspice | Jamaica, Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua | 10%–25% |
👉 India, a major global spice supplier, is especially affected — with some products facing a 50% tariff.
💰 What That Means for You (and Your Grocery Bill)
The U.S. imposes a baseline 10% tariff on imported spices — but for certain countries, that jumps to 25%, 30%, or even 50%.
The result?
-
Higher prices at grocery stores
-
Fewer premium spice options
-
Potential changes in flavor as brands source from lower-tariff countries or use artificial alternatives
Even your go-to pumpkin spice latte could eventually taste different — or cost more — if producers pass on those added costs to retailers like Starbucks (which, for now, hasn’t raised prices on its seasonal drinks).
“Small changes like sourcing from a different country can shift the taste — even if the label looks the same,” says the American Spice Trade Association.
🛒 Will This Hit Your Wallet This Fall?
Not immediately. The spice supply chain is long, and many brands — like McCormick — source ahead to shield against short-term price swings.
McCormick estimates $90 million in annual tariff exposure, with $50 million in 2025 alone. However, because 90% of what they sell in the U.S. is already domestically sourced, they’re better positioned to weather the costs than smaller competitors.
Still, if tariffs stay high (or rise), it could change what you see — and pay — in the spice aisle by 2026 and beyond.
🌱 Why Not Just Grow Spices in the U.S.?
Simple: We can’t.
According to the American Spice Trade Association, most core spices need tropical growing conditions — heat, humidity, specific soils — that aren’t found in the U.S.
So unless policy changes, the only alternative is higher costs.
There’s some hope, though: The current administration is reportedly considering reducing tariffs on certain commodities that can’t be grown domestically — including spices. No official changes have been announced yet.
🎃 Bottom Line: Pumpkin Spice, Tariffs, and Your Budget
Your favorite fall flavors might not change overnight — but their prices could, especially as tariffs ripple through the supply chain.
What can you do?
-
Plan ahead: Stock up on seasonal favorites early if you’re worried about rising prices.
-
Budget smarter: Small increases in everyday grocery items add up. Keep an eye on your monthly food spending.
-
Pay attention: Tariffs may sound like global policy issues — but they directly impact what’s in your cart.
Because sometimes, the real cost of that pumpkin muffin isn’t just sugar and spice — it’s international trade.
💳 Want to See How Small Changes Add Up?
Creditvana can help you:
-
Track your grocery spending
-
Set savings goals for seasonal treats (or long-term plans)
-
Stay ahead of inflation, interest rates, and financial trends
[Get started with Creditvana →]
