New York City’s favorite superfruit is about to get a lot more expensive. Starting August 1, 2025, a sweeping new 50% tariff on all Brazilian imports—including açaí—will take effect, raising the cost of the vibrant purple bowls and smoothies popular across cafes and juice bars throughout the city. The tariff hike, announced earlier this month by President Donald Trump, is expected to significantly disrupt the açaí supply chain and push retail prices higher, potentially pricing out many of the fruit’s most loyal health-conscious consumers.
Tariff Targets Leading Global Supplier
Brazil is by far the dominant supplier of açaí on the global market. The state of Pará, located in northern Brazil, produces the majority of the world’s açaí exports, with the United States as its top destination. In 2025 alone, Pará exported roughly 15,107 tons of açaí, valued at US$57.9 million, with a staggering 75% of that—about US$43.6 million—shipped to the U.S.
The dramatic tariff increase—rising from the previous 10% rate to a steep 50%—is part of a broader protectionist strategy that includes penalties on Brazilian coffee and orange juice. President Trump cited what he described as an “unfair” trade relationship with Brazil and alleged violations of free speech and democratic norms as justification for the move. No exemptions for açaí have been announced as of late July, leaving importers and retailers bracing for economic fallout.
Prices Expected to Rise at NYC Cafes
For New York City shop owners who rely heavily on Brazilian açaí pulp for their signature offerings, the impending price hikes could represent a breaking point. Açaí bowls, once considered a relatively affordable staple, may soon be seen as indulgent items. Industry observers warn that consumers could face sharp increases at the register as cafes contend with growing import costs.
“The immediate impact of this protectionist imposition will be a blow to the competitiveness of the product from Pará,” economist Nélio Bordalo Filho, based in Brazil, said in a recent analysis. “A 50% surcharge will make açaí pulp less attractive to foreign importers.”
Local shop owners share that concern. Though not all costs may be passed directly to customers, many small businesses say there is limited room to absorb such a dramatic increase. Businesses with tighter margins and more limited buying power compared to national chains may face difficult choices—raise prices, reduce portion sizes, or change menu offerings altogether.
Health Trend Meets Global Politics
Initially popularized for its nutritional value and vivid presentation, açaí has become a cultural phenomenon in New York’s foodie and wellness scenes. Rich in antioxidants and heart-healthy fats, it is often hailed as a “superfood,” making it a staple ingredient in countless smoothie shops, brunch spots, and health-focused cafes around the five boroughs.
However, the fruit’s dependence on a fragile global supply chain has now placed it—quite literally—at the center of an international trade dispute. The açaí that ends up in bowls across Manhattan and Brooklyn often travels thousands of miles from Brazil, refrigerated and processed into pulp. With tariffs driving up the cost of this journey, it’s not just a global commodity—it’s a geopolitical symbol on a spoon.
Ripple Effects on Broader Market
The impact of the new Brazilian tariff extends beyond just açaí. Other major agricultural products, such as coffee and orange juice, are also subject to the same 50% duty, sparking concern among grocers and consumers alike. A senior executive at a Brazilian export trading firm noted the pressure on broader commodity exports, stating, “I don’t think it would be economically feasible to sell Brazilian coffee to the U.S. with the 50% tariff.”
While U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has hinted at the possibility of future exemptions for natural resources such as tropical fruits, no definitive path has been charted for açaí. Importers and distributors are scrambling to find contingency plans, including seeking alternative sources of açaí, though Brazil’s dominance in the market leaves few viable options.
Uncertainty for Small Businesses and Consumers
For now, retailers and consumers alike are left in a holding pattern. Even if U.S.-Brazil trade negotiations evolve in the coming months, the August 1 deadline looms large. Industry insiders have yet to quantify the exact price increase consumers will see, which will likely depend on each business’s strategy for managing increased wholesale costs. Nonetheless, many shop owners warn that sticker shock is unavoidable.
Once hailed as a symbol of wellness and accessible nutrition, the açaí bowl—like many imported goods—now stands as a casualty of geopolitical tension. For New Yorkers seeking sustenance in their morning smoothie runs or post-workout bowls, that might soon mean deciding whether superfoods are still worth their supersized price tags.
