National Restaurant Association Provides Overview of Food Commodity Imports from Canada, Mexico and China

President-elect Trump has stated a desire to impose tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China—the U.S.’s top three trading partners—in recent comments. To understand the impact this could have on the restaurant and foodservice operators, it is important to see what food products are imported from each of these markets. This article outlines the value of imported commodities from each market in 2023, based on U.S. Customs data, according to the USA Trade Online resource.

It is important to note that these values represent total imports into the U.S., and not necessarily the amount being utilized by restaurant operators. With that said, these figures provide an understanding of the items being sourced from each of these markets, which can be helpful as businesses assess possible tariff impacts.

Canada

The total flow of commodity imports coming from Canada in 2023 was $418.6B, according to USA Trade Outline. The bulk of that amount is from petroleum-based commodities and from the motor vehicle and aircraft sectors. Aluminum, gold and lumber are also high on this list.

In terms of commodities that might be utilized in restaurants and foodservice businesses, the top 10 categories in 2023 were:

• Fresh or Chilled Beef: $2.65B
• Chocolate and Cocoa-Based Products: $1.98B
• Frozen Prepared or Preserved Vegetables: $1.69B
• Crustaceans (e.g., Shrimp, Lobster): $1.68B
• Fresh, Chilled, or Frozen Pork: $900.1M
• Fresh or Chilled Vegetables: $900.2M
• Fresh or Chilled Whole Fish (No Fillets): $766.0M
• Malt Extracts and Low-Cocoa Food Preparations: $755.2M
• Wheat and Meslin (Cereal Grain): $754.4M
• Prepared/Preserved Meats, Offal, or Insects: $655.3M
• Sugar Confectionery (Including White Chocolate, No Cocoa): $613.5M
• Coffee, Coffee Husks, and Substitutes: $567.3M
• Sauces, Condiments, and Mustard-Based Products: $497.6M

Mexico

The total flow of commodity imports coming from Mexico in 2023 was $475.2B. The bulk of that amount came from appliances, electronics and motor vehicles. Beer and medical equipment were also high on this list.

In terms of commodities that might be utilized in restaurants and foodservice businesses, the top 15 categories in 2023 were:

• Fresh Fruits (Various Types): $3.86B
• Dates, Figs, Pineapples, Avocados (Fresh or Dried): $3.30B
• Fresh or Chilled Vegetables: $2.96B
• Fresh or Chilled Tomatoes: $2.71B
• Baked Goods and Pastries (e.g., Bread, Cakes, Wafers): $2.37B
• Fresh or Chilled Beef: $1.54B
• Sugar Confectionery (e.g., White Chocolate, No Cocoa): $1.18B
• Prepared or Preserved Fruits and Nuts: $899.3M
• Citrus Fruits (Fresh or Dried): $855.8M
• Grapes (Fresh or Dried): $835.3M
• Fresh or Chilled Cucumbers and Gherkins: $805.1M
• Cane or Beet Sugar (Solid Form): $790.4M
• Fresh or Chilled Cabbages, Cauliflower, Kale, etc.: $718.1M
• Frozen Vegetables (Raw or Cooked by Steam): $655.4M
• Chocolate and Cocoa-Based Food Products: $598.2M

China

The total flow of commodity imports coming from China in 2023 was $426.9B. The bulk of that amount came from electronics, furniture and motor vehicle parts. Apparel, medical equipment, plastics, small appliances and tableware were also high on this list.

In terms of commodities that might be utilized in restaurants and foodservice businesses, the top 15 categories in 2023 were:

• Fresh, Chilled, or Frozen Fish Fillets and Meat: $985.3M
• Animal, Vegetable, or Microbial Fats and Oils (Modified): $763.3M
• Prepared or Preserved Fruits and Nuts: $445.9M
• Vegetable Extracts, Pectin, Agar, and Similar Products: $274.4M
• Prepared Vegetables (Not Frozen): $171.4M
• Sauces, Condiments, and Mustard Flour: $148.8M
• >Prepared or Preserved Crustaceans and Mollusks: $146.5M
• Frozen Fish (Excluding Fillets or Fish Meat): $137.7M
• Sugar Confectionery (Including White Chocolate, No Cocoa): $133.8M
• Prepared Fish, Caviar, and Caviar Substitutes: $117.1M
• Fresh or Chilled Onions, Garlic, Shallots, and Leeks: $104.7M
• Peppers (Genus Piper, Capsicum, or Pimenta): $102.4M
• Pasta and Couscous (Prepared or Unprepared): $99.0M
• Unfermented Fruit, Nut, or Vegetable Juices (No Spirits Added): $96.5M
• Dried Vegetables (Whole, Cut, or Other Forms): $92.6M