Agricultural economist explains why you’re paying 32% more for lettuce and 20% more for tomatoes — and why it will stay that way

Lettuce prices rose 32% and tomato prices increased 20% from June 2025 to June 2026, driven by extreme weather, labor shortages, high energy/shipping costs, and Trump-era trade policies. The U.S. withdrew from a duty-free tomato import agreement with Mexico, imposing a 17% antidumping duty, which reduced Mexican tomato imports by 13% and strained supply chains.