Shoppers in Barrie hoping for instant relief at the checkout after Canada’s tariff cut on U.S. goods may need to keep their wallets ready for a few more weeks.
The federal government’s decision to remove 25 percent counter-tariffs on select American groceries, effective September 1, brings the promise of price drops on essentials like fresh produce, coffee, and orange juice. Yet, despite official announcements, the path from policy to pocketbook is rarely straightforward. Industry experts caution that lower tariffs do not mean immediate savings for consumers.
Food economist Mike von Massow of the University of Guelph told CTVNews.ca that perishable items such as orange juice, which are restocked frequently, should see price adjustments soon after the change. However, products with longer shelf lives—including coffee and pasta—will only reflect the lower tariffs once existing inventory is sold through. “Prices will not come down immediately, but they will come down,” von Massow said, estimating reductions could appear within weeks rather than months.
Barrie’s independent grocers, represented by the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers, echoed this assessment. Spokesperson Gary Sands noted that with 80 percent of Canada’s fruits and vegetables imported from the U.S., produce aisles are likely the first to register a drop. Still, shoppers will not see lower prices on items already stocked under the old tariff regime. “Of course, you’re immediately going to pass that on, but not for products that have already been purchased and paid for,” Sands said.
While larger chains like Loblaws have publicly committed to lowering prices as inventory turns over, there’s no one-size-fits-all timeline. Factors such as shelf life, shipment frequency, and the existing “Buy Canadian” consumer movement add complexity. Not all products will see relief—other pressures keep goods like beef and canned foods expensive for now.
One thing remains certain: economic forces move at their own pace. Shoppers anxious for change may take some solace in the knowledge that, for most staples, relief is measured in weeks, not months. Until then, every trip down the grocery aisle is a waiting game, marked by the familiar hope that the next tag shows a little less pain.
References:
Why it could take weeks for grocery prices to fall once countertariffs are dropped
