Prices up

[Andyroo]

Quick question:
I was on a US wholesaler's website helping a local importer, and the prices seemed way (WAY) up. Is that just me or is it a general thing? Is that the tariffs kicking-in, as it seemed comfortably north of that 10%

Stock-list was also quite sparse, though I do appreciate that there's seasonalities.
The conservation-oriented suppliers had nothing at all, so I wonder if they were just priced-out (of the US market?) entirely.

Side-note: are there any Canadian wholesalers on this list? Find me directly

 

[amazontank]

I noticed higher prices also on plecos from South America. I was thinking the same thing.
Looking forward to some more post on this from the more experienced.

 

[jake37]

I was told from one seller that tarrifs are really kicking in for both asian imports and south america imports though it depends specifically which country. I noticed prices up for fish i purchased from 10% to 30%.

 

[A201]

Except for the Loaches, all my fish are likely from hatcheries here in the USA, and not subject to tariffs.

Locally, in the past 2 years, prices of common fish such as Tiger Barbs and Rosy Barbs have gone up from $1.99 a piece to $5.00.

The traditionally expensive fish, such as a $19 Denison Barb, the price has remained the same.

I guess the retailers are aware that a $50 Denison Barb probably wouldn't sell. Jacking up the prices on so called cheap fish, likely would be more tolerable.

The hatcheries and retailers are obviously trying to avoid losses, or maybe they are simply price gouging, who knows? but I'm not convinced tariffs are the sole reason.

At least locally, prices on certain fish have more than doubled. This happened before any USA imposed tariffs were ever imposed.

 

[Fallen_Leaves16]

There has been some local price-gouging for a while, especially since COVID; but that mostly applies to domestic farms/wholesalers and supplied retail.
Certain chain stores, such as Petco and Petsmart, have been rather notorious for almost doubling prices on many of their sold vertebrates, despite no switch in supplier.

For direct importers, they are most definitely starting to be hit by tariffs; four guys have told me they've got no choice but to start raising prices to keep up, as they'd be eating too much of the cost to earn a profit otherwise. A few companies, like PlecoCeramics, have also issued public statements on the matter.
Most sellers have said they'd start having to raise prices starting early August, if they haven't already.
It is country-and-fish/product-dependent, though. And most that I know/asked have said it won't be much more than anywhere from a 5-35% increase.
Higher-end fishing tackle from overseas has also gotten markedly more expensive, on a somewhat unrelated note.

Looking to see if nearby wholesale facilities are also going to be forced to raise prices to a similar magnitude; kind of curious to see if they'd be any better since they're likely a larger operation able to take more of a financial loss.

At the moment, the tariffs haven't fully enveloped the applicable aspects of the US's ornamental fish industry yet, from what I have seen. But I expect that will change as the months go by.

Perhaps we will see a minor increase in the number of domestic breeders/sellers, or a shift towards domestically-produced fishes. But I doubt there will be any major changes to available stock in stores, though there is certainly less incentive for companies to import now.

 

[Cal Amari]

I work in retail in a small independant hardware store/lumber yard. Different but similar factors. Every retailer, and especially fish stores that tend to be single shop operations can run differently, and some may be price gouging, hard to speak to that, but how tarrifs are impacting pricing is likely similar. For us, it takes an average of 23-25% of revenue simply to operate the business, payroll, insurance, property taxes, utilities, reseal the parking lot, repair the AC, replace a forklift now and then, etc. So on average our prices have to stay at or above 25% higher than costs just to keep the doors open. Whatever slim amount goes above that is the profit.

A 10% tarriff on everything from everywhere went into effect a few months ago that people often foget about because of all the higher tarriffs discussed, then delayed, then negotiated, then delayed, etc. Most of our vendors have released new price lists in the past month to deal with the original 10%, and those prices are now being reflected in the retail pricing. Most of these price lists I've seen haven't been a 10% increase across the board, some have been 6 or 7% and vendors and retailers are absorbing a few percent. Others have adjusted prices on different sectors of products, as mentioned above, if 10% is likely to deter sales significantly then they may raise it 6% on certain products, and 12 or 14% on other products that will still sell, so they still average to same returns in the big picture. Raising the price of the product more than the cost raised may seem like price gouging to some, but is a common calculation to lessen the impact overall on the consumer and retailer, and supplier. Whatever is negotiated this month or next month etc. likely won't be seen on retail pricing for another few months after it is announced as it takes time to revise price lists and implement through each teir before reaching the retail shelf.

 

[duanes]

From a different prospective,
here in Panama the prices of some things from the US have doubled in the last few weeks.
A 5 pack of Johnsonille Brats has gone from a norm of @ $6 to $12 + almost overnight
A jar of high end jam or jelly shipped from the US has doubled from $6 to $12,
yet I can buy the same size high end jar imported from from France for $4.

Do you think those Tarriffs will encourage Panamanians that have incomes less than half of those in the US, to buy products from imported from US?
Where do you think my retirement income is going?

In just the last 2 years, Chinese cars have taken over the Panamanian market.
I rode in an SUV version for the 1st time (Uber) the other day, it was surprisingly very solid, and was extremely high tech.

 

[danotaylor]

duanes are the increases d/t import tariff increases? If so, these are charged by the receiving country. Or has there also been a big increase in cost for wholesalers to buy goods from the US?
The US has no control what Panama charges on imports, which then gets passed on to the consumer, except perhaps at the negotiating table as it relates to reciprocal agreements.

I thought your retirement income was being spent on fish collection trips

 

[duanes]

I really don't know if the higher prices are the results of the Tariffs put on Panama, or price gouging, but since an extra 10% has been added to exports from Panama to to US, I would imagine there would be a reciprical response by Panama with goods from the US,
its only fair.
And yes, most of my retirement income goes to collecting, but to cope with the rise in prices for US stuff, I've flipped frrom US made jelly, to French and to Argentine meats (I would imagine, so have most Panamanians).
As it turns out, the jelly below is good.

And the prices on Argentine beef from the Carneceria are much more reasonable.

 

[danotaylor]

Gotcha. Gradual increases are definitely easier to cope with no matter where ya live. It’s super tough with big jumps. Especially when wages or investment returns (incl retirement) don’t match the cost of living increase.
Wowzers, those meat prices look phenomenal! What currency is the pricing in? The last time I even looked at ribeye here in Ohio it was around $25/lb. Occasionally I’ll see it on sale for $15/lb or so, but it’s not good quality usually. I hunt whitetail so about 80% of our red meat is killed and processed by me and the other 20% is most grass fed ground.
The French jam looks the goods mate! A crusty French baguette some real salty butter, the jam and you got yourself a ripper sanga!
If I was in your shoes I’d be spending money on collecting as well, and switching to French jam and Argentinian beef! Definitely a worthy expense. I do wish your trips were as productive as you hoped!