As summer quickly approaches Sushi lovers should expect to see a price increase due to Trump’s tariffs. Most of the seafood consumed in the U.S., including key sushi ingredients, is imported from countries like China, Japan, Vietnam, and others.
Tariffs on these imports—sometimes as high as 125% for certain Chinese products and 10–25% or more for other countries, will directly increase the price of fish for restaurants and, in turn, the cost to consumers.
Industry experts and wholesalers confirm that these tariffs will make sushi “definitely more expensive” and that restaurants will likely pass these costs on to diners.
Many businesses, such as sushi wholesalers and specialty markets, have stated that customers can expect to see price hikes within a month or so after the tariffs are implemented. For example, Nijiya Market in San Francisco anticipated raising prices in about a month from their statement in late April 2025.
This suggests that, for most Americans, the impact will be noticeable by late spring to early summer 2025.
Why you should enjoy Sushi while you can
Increased Import Costs:
Tariffs are essentially taxes on imported goods. When tariffs are imposed on seafood like tuna and salmon, which are commonly used in sushi, the cost of importing those fish increases.
Higher Menu Prices:
Restaurants, especially those that rely on imported ingredients, will likely pass these increased costs onto consumers through higher menu prices.
Impact on Restaurants:
Some restaurant owners have stated that they will do their best to absorb some of the cost increases, but ultimately, they may have to raise prices to remain profitable.
Reduced Profit Margins:
Distributors and restaurants may also see reduced profit margins as they try to absorb some of the cost increases.
Even as some businesses look for alternative suppliers or try to absorb costs, the overall impact is expected to be a noticeable increase in sushi prices at restaurants and grocery stores.
