Your next bowl of spaghetti might end up needing a lot more penne than you thought.
In Little Italy, the area’s main pasta producers are understandably frustrated about the looming price increases tied to President Trump’s tariffs. These could push the cost of basic food items to as much as $10, and store owners worry that customers won’t be willing to pay that much.
A hefty 107% tariff is on the horizon, which may force thirteen Italian pasta brands to either withdraw their products from U.S. stores or hike prices significantly.
“It’s terrible,” expressed Anthony Russigneault, who manages Joe’s Italian Deli. The deli offers at least four of the affected brands, like Pasta Garofalo and Rummo. He noted that, based on his calculations, the price could hit $10 per bag—an amount he finds absurd. “Pasta should be a basic ingredient that’s affordable,” he added, emphasizing there’s just no match between authentic imports and cheaper domestic pasta that won’t see similar price jumps.
“I hope this is just posturing and won’t actually happen; if it does, it’s going to be really damaging for us,” he shared.
He went on to say, “I can’t see anyone walking out with a $10 bag of pasta. It’s hard to imagine customers would actually buy it, so we might have to reduce the stock of those brands.”
Despite generally supporting the President’s economic policies, Rusiño worries about the possible decline in quality and the risk of alienating customers who might be reluctant to part with their money for pasta.
“We can’t replicate their process, and we certainly can’t match the buying power they have. That’s really frustrating for us,” he remarked.
Chris Borgatti, 32, who runs Borgatti’s Ravioli & Egg Noodles, fears he may need to cut back on imported pasta offerings as a consequence. “Raising prices only digs into our profits. We’re not passing those costs onto customers,” he lamented, highlighting that their profit margins are already quite narrow.
These impending tariffs would constitute the highest signaling of specific product tariffs since the start of the administration’s import reforms. This includes a 15% base tariff on EU goods alongside a punitive 92% penalty aimed at Italian pasta makers accused of undermining U.S. competitors.
The brands under threat include Pasta Garofalo, Rummo, and several others, which are popular among local consumers.
Interestingly, Barilla, which produces some pasta domestically, might fare better than most affected brands.
However, the potential steep increases could have serious effects on local shops that rely on imported products. Borgatti mentioned, “We’ll likely have to downsize our selection of imported items. Nobody likes to see prices go up—it’s going to have a ripple effect for everyone involved.”
Rosa Paciullo, who runs Tino’s Delicatessen with her husband, remarked, “This increase is ridiculous. If this keeps up, we might go out of business. We can’t charge double what we’re currently pricing.” Pasta, she pointed out, is their primary product, an essential item for her customers.
“I might have to double our prices. I really don’t know what to do, and as for American pasta—who’s going to buy that?” she questioned incredulously.
If left with no options, she’s not keen on switching to domestic pasta, but wonders about consumer willingness to pay more.
On pasta quality, Mike Teitel, who runs an Italian market, seems to have a strong preference. “Once you try authentic pasta, you won’t want anything else,” he remarked. He’s already seen the necessity to raise his prices, moving from $5 to $6 for a popular brand.
Teitel acknowledges that it might mean needing to pass costs onto customers, although he feels caught in a challenging position. “People complain about the President… Everyone’s entitled to their opinion. You hope there’s some sense behind these tariff decisions, but really, who knows?” he reflected.
Staying neutral, he stated, “If price increases are unavoidable, I’ll have to raise them. Even with a drastic increase, I might only raise it by 20%.” He believes the products will still be worth it, noting that a $10 price tag doesn’t seem outrageous for quality pasta, given market standards.
Teitel also suggested a more budget-friendly alternative for those looking to save. “De Cecco pasta is a solid choice—prices went from $2.50 to $3.00 but offers great value. Many good restaurants opt for it.”
