How Tariffs Are Hitting Small Businesses — and Why Our Customers Feel It To

When you hear the word “tariff,” it might sound like a distant policy term reserved for politicians and trade negotiators. But here in the small business world, tariffs aren’t just abstract—they’re a line item on our invoices, a hard reality in our production costs, and a ripple that eventually reaches your kitchen table.

At Rollicking Buckaroo Pepper Jam & Seasoning Blends, we’ve built our brand on quality, flavor, and supporting our local community. But the recent shifts in trade tariffs have created real challenges for businesses like ours—and we want to share exactly what that means for us, for our customers, and for the future.

What Are Tariffs, and Why Do They Matter?

A tariff is essentially a tax on imported goods. When the U.S. places a tariff on a product (or the raw materials that go into making it), the cost of those items goes up. For companies that rely on jars, lids, packaging materials, or even equipment, these extra costs add up quickly.

Even if our pepper jam ingredients are sourced domestically, many of the “invisible” parts of our product—like glass jars, or specialty kitchen equipment—often come from outside the U.S. And when tariffs hit those imports, our cost to produce each jar climbs.

The Direct Impact on Small Businesses Like Ours

Large corporations can absorb tariff costs more easily because they have massive purchasing power and larger margins. Small businesses like ours? We feel it immediately. Here’s how:

Supply Costs

Some packaging components have all gone up in price because of tariffs and supply chain disruptions.

Even domestic suppliers sometimes raise prices because their own imported raw materials have become more expensive.

Shipping & Freight Increases

Tariffs often trigger higher transportation costs, both internationally and domestically. It’s not just the container ships—trucking and freight companies pass on those costs to us.

Squeezed Margins

Every jar of pepper jam or seasoning blend we sell has a “cost to make.” When tariffs push those costs up, our profit margin shrinks—unless we raise prices. And that’s a decision we never take lightly.

Less Cash for Growth

Money that could go into new flavors, improved packaging, or local event sponsorships is instead redirected to cover these added expenses.

The Ripple Effect to Our Customers

We know customers are already facing higher prices at the grocery store, at restaurants, and even online. Tariffs contribute to that. When our cost per jar or seasoning packet increases, we have two options:

Absorb the cost (which eventually becomes unsustainable for a small business)

Adjust our prices to reflect the new reality

While we do everything possible to keep our products affordable, sometimes the only way to survive as a small business is to share some of that burden with the customer. We’d rather be transparent about why prices may change than silently cut corners on quality.

Why We Won’t Compromise on Quality

Some companies respond to rising costs by swapping out ingredients for cheaper ones or using thinner, lower-quality packaging. That’s not us.

If we say Rollicking Buckaroo Pepper Jam is made with premium peppers and crafted with care, that’s exactly what you’re getting—tariffs or no tariffs. Our brand is built on trust, and we’d rather make less profit than dilute the product you’ve come to love.

What Can Be Done?

Tariffs are complex and not something we can control at the small business level. But here’s what you can do to help local brands weather the storm:

Keep Shopping Small – Every jar you buy directly from us keeps dollars circulating locally and helps us cover increased costs without sacrificing quality.

Spread the Word – Tell friends and family about us, share our posts, and leave reviews. Awareness helps more than you might realize.

Buy Direct Online – When you order from our website, we avoid certain third-party fees and keep more of the sale, which offsets the higher cost of goods.

Looking Ahead

We’re committed to continuing our mission of delivering award-winning pepper jams and seasoning blends, even when economic headwinds make it tough. Tariffs may change the way we plan and price, but they won’t change who we are—or the quality you can expect in every bite.

We’re not asking for sympathy; we’re asking for understanding. When you support a small business during challenging times, you’re not just buying a product—you’re helping ensure it survives and thrives in your community.

Thank you for sticking with us through the ups and downs. The world of tariffs and trade might be out of our hands, but making bold, unforgettable flavors for your table will always be in our control.

— The Rollicking Buckaroo Team
www.buckaroopepperjam.com