This audio is automatically generated. Please let us know if you have any feedback.
Customs, delays in tariffs and retaliation tariffs have created endless news over the past few months, and food and beverage companies have struggled to keep up.
20% tax on products from China has come into effect March 4th. President Donald Trump postponed taxes from certain countries until April 2nd, while implementing 25% tariffs on several items from Canada and Mexico earlier this month. March 12th and Implementing “mutual tariffs” April 2nd in countries around the world.
Tariffs are set to raise costs for food and beverage manufacturers, but the majority say the effects are not harmful to bottom-line profits. In most cases, businesses do not plan to increase significantly in response to tariffs. Particularly because sustained inflation weakens consumer spending.
Instead, a bigger problem It could result from the country’s retaliatory reaction to Trump. Boycott of American products. Lawson Whiting, CEO of Jack Daniel’s owner Brown Forman, said earlier this month it was “worst than tariffs” to remove US products from shelves.
Still, the job can present a more pressing challenge for businesses exposed to the agricultural sector. Canada Paused Import Best farm buyers from Smithfield pork processing plant China has implemented 15% tariffs About US agricultural products such as beef, pork, and soybeans.
Here we look at the CEOs who are talking about the tariff situation developed by the largest food and beverage companies.
Campbell’s company says tariffs could hit soup
CEO Mick Beekhuizen Warned that power sources could increase packaging costs It has a negative effect on the soup brand of the same name.
Campbell’s imported steel for cans for chips and canola oil from Canada. The company also produced soups in the US and shipped them to Canada, making the New Jersey company vulnerable to retaliatory tariffs.
Beekhuizen said the company is working with suppliers to ease it Potential impact. Campbell’s can raise the price of the product depending on the range of customs duties and how long they are.
“Now, I’m clearly going to be very focused to ensure we provide good value to our consumers,” he said.
Jack Daniel’s owner Brown Forman warns boycotts that are more harmful than tariffs
Canadian boycotts on our tariffs may be worse than the tariffs themselves, CEO of Jack Daniel’s owner Brown Forman He spoke to an analyst earlier this month.
Retailers across Canada have removed US products from shelves in a move that is “completely robbing sales,” according to Lawson Whiting’s chief executive. The Ontario Liquor Commission (one of the largest importers of American alcohol to Canada) also Purchase of US products.
Brown Forman is preparing for tariff fallout in Europe if his duties are performed in April. Potential repulsions against American whiskey and other US-affiliated products could limit the market for brands like Jack Daniels.
“If you unfold where they’re coming after American whiskey… the spirits market is once again very distorted,” Whiting said. “That’s a huge disadvantage for us.”
Whiting added that alcohol producers “believe and hope that American whiskey is not involved in this major conflict.”
General Mills says tariffs “really meaningless”
CEO Jeffrey Harming told analysts at the New York Consumer Analyst Group that tariffs “really meaningless” for General Mills, as Cheerios and Nature Valley bar makers source 95% of their US products.
However, Harmening has pioneered the potential for higher costs for Canadian goods, including oats used in company cereals and snack bars. Tin steel tariffs can affect the packaging of soups, wet pet foods, or Yopreet lids.
Coca-Cola allows you to switch to more plastic bottles
CEO James Quincy said With a revenue call Tariffs will increase in February Costs of Coca-Cola Soda Cans “We are at risk of exaggerating the impact of a 25% increase in aluminum prices compared to the total system.”
The increase in costs from tariffs “is not insignificant,” Quincy said, but he added. “It will not fundamentally change billions of dollars in the US business.”
Cola can take a variety of measures depending on the tariffs on steel and aluminum. Quincey said this could include changes in can sourcing and weight. The beverage giant could also implement price increases and switch to more plastic bottles.
Quincy called the tariffs “an manageable issue.”
“It’s a cost. You need to manage it,” he said. “It would be better not to have it in relation to American businesses, but we’re going to manage our own path.”
Mondelēz International predicts higher cookies, cracker costs
CEO Dirk Van De Put told Food Dive in an interview last month that tariffs are “effective” for finances as they produce cookies and crackers in the United States in Canada and Mexico.
At the time, he said he was considering the possibility that Mondels could offset the higher costs. It could raise prices in the US, but it’s unlikely to become a major tool as inflation has already cut down on consumers’ purchases.
Instead, Van de Putt said that Mondels is likely to boost promotion and marketing for several brands, including Oreo, Ritz and Chip Ahoy.
Tyson Foods is preparing for retaliation tariffs
For meat companies and other agricultural companies, one of the biggest risks of a long-term trade war is retaliation tariffs on US products.
Exports are a significant part of the business, with Tyson sending 10% of all pigs to Mexico. CEO Donnie King Talking to analysts about revenue calls in February Tariffs from Mexico and Canada will force the country to find new markets.
Tyson has assembled a pork business and chicken emergency plan, where he sends legs and other parts to Mexico. The company sends little chicken to Canada, but imports feeder beef and pigs from its north neighbours into the US.
“Essentially, you’ll find other markets, whether it’s pork or chicken,” King said. “We will leverage our global knowledge and expertise to move those products as needed.”
