Phoenix Italian grocery-deli fears major impact from proposed 107% pasta tariff

PHOENIX (AZFamily) — A new federal trade proposal could more than double the price of Italian pasta coming into the United States, and one longtime Phoenix business says it’s already struggling with smaller tariffs that are making it harder to keep shelves stocked and prices steady.

Niccoli’s Italian Grocery and Deli has been serving customers in central Phoenix since the 1950s. The family-owned shop has survived economic downturns, a recession, and even a pandemic, but owner Brian Long says the latest challenge is unlike any other.

“We’re already tighter on our checkbooks,” Long said.

Inside the deli, every bottle of olive oil, wedge of cheese, and package of pasta tells a story from overseas.

“I would say on our grocery shelves, probably about 80% of our product is imported, 20% domestic,” Long explained.

With current tariffs on Italian goods already at 15%, Long says the cost of doing business has climbed sharply.

“My kids help me run this shop,” he said. “It’s difficult to maintain the quality we want while also making sure the bills get paid. It becomes a smaller piece of the pie.”

Now, the U.S. is weighing an additional 92% tariff, bringing the total to 107% on Italian pasta. It’s all part of a long-running trade dispute over European subsidies.

Supporters of the move argue it would help level the playing field for American producers. Critics, meanwhile, say it could feel more like a tax on small businesses and consumers.

“It will have an effect on pasta immediately,” Long said. “Our challenge with food prices is that we get squeezed in between. Prices rise, but we can’t always pass that on to the customer right away.”

For Long, the issue isn’t political, it’s personal. “It’s vital for us to have access to true, authentic Italian products,” he said. “It’s not just about the ingredients. It’s part of our culture — sharing that craftsmanship.”

The proposed tariff is still under federal review. If approved, the new rates could take effect early next year, with some Italian brands reportedly preparing to pull out of U.S. stores as soon as January.

For longtime shops like Niccoli’s, that could mean higher prices, fewer imports and another test of how much a small family business can endure.

See a spelling or grammatical error in our story? Please click here to report it.

Do you have a photo or video of a breaking news story? Send it to us here with a brief description.