Asian snacks in Chinese shops: part of the trade war

Asian snacks in Chinese shops: part of the trade war

in Flushing, Queens, fresh products, soy sauces and snacks with sea taste are stacked on the shelves of the Chang Jiang Supermarkt. Chang Jiang is located in a series of shops in this community characterized by Asians, where colorful signs are emblazoned in Chinese and fresh fruit is sold in boxes on the sidewalk.

The importance of local grocery stores for communities

Local grocery stores are often the lifeline of the communities they serve. Indian food dealers, for example, offer Cake Rusk cookies that fit perfectly with the Chai tea. Chinese food dealers reliably have red glasses with Lao Gan Ma chilli oil and dried plums on offer.

The effects of the trade war on Asian grocery stores

But the Chang Jiang supermarket-like many other Asian-American grocery stores-is affected by the trade conflict under President Donald Trump. Most imported were subject to a 10 %customs, even after the Trump administration has exposed the mutual tariffs against a variety of countries. However, China's goods are at the top of the list, with US tariffs that have risen to a whopping 145 %. The lack of negotiations between the two nations burden the joint connections and put Chinese foods like Chang Jiang under pressure.

"If the tariffs do not fall, after two months, no new inventory (from China) will be on the market," said Wu, the manager of the supermarket, who insisted on only using his last name.

price increases for imported foods

In the entire USA, buyers have to expect prices for seafood, coffee, fruit, cheese, nuts, chocolate bars and other imported foods. It is particularly hard with low -income households because they spend a larger proportion of their income for food. For those who rely on products from China, the enormous tariffs on Chinese goods will have even more serious effects.

"The companies in China are still dependent on us consumers. How much prices are increasing, everything affects us consumers," said Wu.

unpredictable consequences through increased prices

In a telephone interview on Mandarin, WU reported that the suppliers from whom he shops increase prices for all products. While the manufacturers have not increased the prices for the currently available goods, the new inventory could experience price increases of 30 %, 40 % or even 50 %.

"The problem is often not even the price of the articles. Some manufacturers have completely stopped sending to the USA, which could lead to sales restrictions and possible bottlenecks," he said.

"The prices for the current articles have not increased very much," he added. "But instead of selling the 50 or 100 required items, they say: 'I only give you five or ten articles, and that's it.

The supermarket has not yet increased prices for its customers. But in two months, if his inventory is used up from China, WU plans to resort to suppliers in other countries - perhaps Taiwan or from Southeast Asia to compensate for losses.

Hope for an early solution to the trade war

"We hope that the trade war between the USA and China will be resolved as soon as possible," he said. "If the situation continues for two months, the consequences will be unimaginable."

But not only the shops in New York are affected - there are also similar problems on the west coast in the Wing Hop Fung in Arcadia, California. The family business imports teas, Chinese herbs and other Asian products from this mostly Asian community near Los Angeles.

"Our biggest trading partner is China, so when we hear that the tariffs rise, we definitely have the feeling that this is a threat to small family businesses like ours," said Lan Ong, whose parents Wing Hop Fung founded in 1985 and which the company is currently leading.

growing demand for ethnic food specialties

The demand for special and ethnic food ingredients has increased in the past ten years, Phil Lempert, editor of the Supermarket Guru trading magazine, told CNN. The market for these specialties is expected to reach $ 153.2 billion by 2032, compared to $ 81.6 billion in 2023, according to Fortune Business Insights. This is primarily due to the growing interest in Asian, Hispanic and Oriental dishes.

"The Internet familiarized us with food from all over the world," said Lempert. "A large number of people go into shops to find food that they cannot find in their traditional supermarket."

This increased interest has led to the transformation of the supermarket industry in the United States. H Mart, a Korean grocery store with a loyal online fan base, has expanded to almost 100 locations across the country since its foundation in Woodside, Queens. Patel Bros, which was founded in Chicago in the 1970s, is now the largest Indian food chain in the United States. The Asian supermarket chain 99 Ranch also has branches in several states from California to New Jersey.

The big chains in the industry have the resources to prepare and strengthen their supply chains, noticed. But there is not much scope for small, locally managed grocery stores.

The challenges for small companies

in Honolulu, the uncertainty due to Trump's tariffs also shaken small companies in Chinatown. Chu Lan Shubert-Kweock, which the local Chinatown Business & Community Association founded, said that the trade war "will throw back us."

"The companies will not increase until they sell their products," she told Khnl/KGMB last week. "You will not buy anything until you are sure how high the cost of your goods and how much you can sell them."

"Nobody wins in this trade war," she added.

Over time, buyers could find fewer products on the shelf in these shops. They will also be faced with higher prices, according to Lempert.

Wu warned the customers of the Chang Jiang who could worry about their favorite products that may disappear or become more expensive.

"I call everyone to stock up in this short time in which the goods are still available at the current prices," he said. "Because the prices will definitely shoot up later."