‘The price is really up.’ Charlotte’s international grocers tackle Trump tariff costs

At international grocery stores throughout Charlotte, like Golden Elephant Asian Market and Wow Supermarket, rising prices and delays in orders caused by President Donald Trump’s tariffs remain the top topic of any conversation.

Golden Elephant owner Bo Sayaphet and his friend Eddie Chang, who owns Asian Market Albemarle in the city of Albemarle, were talking about a fish sauce and others items seeing big price hikes because of higher tariffs the Trump administration imposed on Asian countries.

A 23-ounce bottle of Viet Huong fish sauce made in Hong Kong costs $8.99 on Golden Elephants’ shelves. But new shipments to Chang’s stores now mean it costs over $11 per bottle — that’s a 22% increase.

“Everybody’s watching what they order,” Sayaphet said recently at his northwest Charlotte store. “The prices are changing on a daily basis.”

Other international grocers are also anticipating price increases.

Across town at WOW Supermarket on South Boulevard, prices started rising in mid-April on nearly everything from produce like avocados, limes and mangos to medicine and cheese. WOW is an Hispanic supermarket chain with four stores in North Carolina, including in Gastonia, Monroe and Hendersonville.

“We’re also starting to have problems getting products,” said cashier Juan Izaguirre at the Charlotte store on May 1.

Wow Supermarket store manager Saira Yoselyn Izaguierre Hernandez, Izaguirre’s mother, pointed to the last Mixnut Bar by Ta Molienda in the store at a register. The restocking order placed on April 11 still has not arrived from the Mexican vendor who says the merchandise can’t cross the border because the price is too high.

“We’re still waiting,” she said Tuesday. “So much is being affected.”

While some tariffs have been paused or adjusted since early April, many remain in effect. That includes 10% tariffs on all countries, with higher rate imposed on countries like Canada, Mexico and China.

Businesses large and small are feeling the impact of the tariffs amid the economic uncertainties of the trade war. Just last week, giant U.S. discount retailer Walmart executives said despite tariffs being temporarily lowered, it may soon have to increase prices for shoppers as it deals with higher costs.

Around Charlotte, here’s a snapshot of what international grocers are experiencing and expecting amid the uncertainties of the tariff wars.

At Golden Elephant Asian Market

Sayaphet and Chang often combine their shipments. They also buy in bulk on products like dried goods and to keep prices low for customers.

Products for both of their Asian markets come from China, Japan and South Korea, as well as southeast Asian countries Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Philippines and Malaysia.

“China and Taiwan got his the hardest,” said Sayaphet, who opened his small Asian grocery store six years ago just off Interstate 85 on Old Little Rock Road in Charlotte.

“Everybody’s gonna get affected one way or another,” Sayaphet said. “It’ll hurt restaurants, too.”

But pricing isn’t the only concern.

“I’m seeing a price increase on things and I’m seeing a shortage on things,” Sayaphet said. “Even the wholesalers are not wanting to buy certain things.

“If it’s a long-term effect, that would cause damage.”

At Asian Market Albemarle

Chang shared an email with a price adjustment notice from a Chinese vendor: “We’re writing to you about increased imported tariffs of international tariffs costs, effective April 14 the product will be increased by 15 to 20%, depending on the product category.”

Another round of price adjustments was expected this month. A salesman told Wang to expect as much as 30% on products, mostly from China.

Even products made in America with raw materials like aluminum, shipping boxes and containers sourced from overseas are seeing price increases, Chang said.

If the U.S. and other governments can’t come to an agreement over the next 60 to 90 days, Chang is worried about product availability.

“A lot of shipping containers, they’re not exporting anymore,” said Chang, who opened his store last year about 40 miles east of uptown Charlotte. “What you have available right now is what they have in stock.”

Other products are in short supply already are plastic wrap, produce bags and straws.

“It’s not even just grocery products. It’s in everyday life,” Chang said. “But I think we’ll be OK. We’ll find a way.”

At Wow Supermarket

The Hispanic grocery store Wow Supermarket opened in 2016 on South Boulevard. It receives products from Mexico, Central America and parts of South America such as Honduras, Venezuela, Panama, Nicaragua, Colombia and Peru.

A box of mangos that was $38 in early April now costs about $62, cashier Juan Izaguirre said May 1. That’s a 63% price hike.

Avocados have doubled in price. A box of limes cost about $18 three months ago, but now the price more than doubled to $38 to $42. Pineapple rose from $2.99 per pound to $4.99 over a few days — a 67% price hike.

And a Dulce de leche cake that was $34 and now is $43 or more.

General manager Izaguierre Hernandez said prices on several items have doubled, like a bag of Ma Se Ca corn flour that rose from $2.50 last month to $4.99 per bag.

Meanwhile, cheeses from Honduras and Mexico also have nearly doubled in price, from $6.99 to $11.99 per pound. And Jarritos soda from Mexico that was 79 cents a bottle is now $1.39 — a 76% price hike.

Customers are beginning to hold back on big purchases and looking for cheaper alternative brands, Izaguierre Hernandez said. Sales at the store in the first quarter compared to last year are down as much as 15%.

“The price is really up,” she said, “so people are looking for the best options.”

There’s another concern. Izaguierre Hernandez said Hispanic customers also are fearful of Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests and activity against immigrants that have spiked in the past week.

“We have to talk about it and make a plan in case something happens,” said a teary-eyed Maria De Jesus, a Wow Supermarket employee. “How do you explain this to your kids?”

Izaguirre Hernandez moved from Honduras to the U.S. 22 years ago. “There’s so much opportunity here,” she said. “But there’s so much stress. Right now, it’s not easy.”

At New Asia Market

By phone, Amy Yu at New Asia Market in Stallings said she was experiencing costlier shipments. The store on Potter Road sells organic products, prepared foods and seafood, and has a bakery.

The increase was already about 10% on groceries coming from China. “Some pricing is increasing because we need to, but not on everything,” she said.

At Charlotte Market International

At Charlotte Market International on Old Pineville Road, owner David Ampadu was ringing up a steady flow of customers at around 5 p.m. one day late last month. The store has been open for more than 15 years.

He said suppliers told him prices could go up at the store that stocks West African and Caribbean food. But so far, prices are the same.

“We have to wait and see,” Ampadu said between checking out customers. “But for now, the prices are the same.”

He’s not concerned about the uncertainties.

“We don’t know what’s going to happen, but it’ll be all right,” he said. “Don’t panic.”

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This story was originally published May 21, 2025 at 5:30 AM.