Iowa Consumers Worry About Government-Caused Increases in Food Costs

By Cami Koons

The Iowa Farm Bureau’s latest food and farm index found that the overwhelming majority of Iowa grocery shoppers surveyed are concerned about increases to food prices caused by government regulations. 

The annual survey, conducted by the Harris Poll, also found that more consumers are seeking locally grown and produced products. 

“At a time when trust in national institutions — from government to media— is at historic lows, the sustained confidence in local farmers speaks volumes about their authenticity and transparency, underscoring the strong bond and mutual respect between Iowa’s farmers and the communities they serve,” said Latoya Guishard Welch, vice president of research for public release at the Harris Poll.

According to the food and farm index, 80% of shoppers are concerned, and 47% are very concerned, about government regulations that increase consumer food prices. The percentage of folks very concerned has more than doubled since 2021, when just 21% were more than just concerned about the role of government in increased food costs. 

USDA statistics show direct imports, or finished products ready for sale, accounted for 15% of U.S. spending on food and beverages. Foreign ingredients and supplies made up 4% of domestic food production. 

Forbes reported tariffs could have a significant impact on the cost of food and beverages at the grocery store, if imposed at their highest proposed levels.  

Study: Iowa Importers Paid 300% More in Tariffs

A recent study from Farmers for Free Trade, a nonprofit advocacy group, found that tariff costs for Iowa importers increased by $68 million, or 304%, from April 2024 to April 2025. According to the Iowa Tarifflation Report, 90% of this increase came from tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump as opposed to legislative tariffs.

These tariffs primarily impacted imported unwrought aluminum, machinery parts, insecticides and fungicides, and engines. According to the study, imports from China had the highest tariffs, but imports from Mexico, Canada, and South Korea faced dramatic increases in tariffs. 

Goods imported from Mexico to Iowa in April 2024 had tariffs of 0.2%, compared with a 4.4% tariff in April 2025. 

The Tarifflation Report said reciprocal tariffs between the U.S. and China, which are currently on a 90-day reduction agreement, would put Iowa industries at a “significant” risk. In particular, Chinese tariffs on U.S. exports would hurt Iowa pork and soybean producers especially hard.

The study concluded that the presidential tariffs, if they took effect and stayed in place, would “have major consequences” on Iowa. It said: “Already, Iowa companies are paying tens of millions of dollars per day – money that could be better spent investing in companies and workers or lowering prices for their customers.” 

Consumers Look at Price First, but Also Value Local Goods

Recent USDA consumer price index data shows a 23.6% increase in grocery prices from 2020–2024, which likely explains why price continues to be the most important factor for Iowa grocery shoppers when deciding which types of food to buy. 

Three-fourths of Iowans said meat, poultry, or dairy products are part of their daily diets. A higher proportion said they prefer “real” meat and dairy over plant-based alternatives. 

More and more, consumers are choosing to purchase these items directly from the farm: 69% said they have purchased groceries directly from farmers, through their online websites, farm stores or at farmers markets; 40% of Iowa consumers look for locally made or grown labels when buying at the store. This is an increase from 2024 survey results, which found around 30% of consumers sought local labels.

Iowa Farm Bureau President Brent Johnson said these statistics mean a lot to farmers. 

“Iowans are definitely paying attention to food prices, but they’re also looking for food that makes them feel connected to local farmers,” Johnson said. “We take pride in growing safe, high-quality food for our neighbors and knowing they trust us to do that really hits home.” 

The survey results also show that more than 90% of shoppers said they trust farmers, and 49% said they place a “great deal of trust” in Iowa farmers in general. The survey also said about 80% felt confident farmers were caring for animals, and a similar response said farmers did the same for the environment.

Johnson said flexibility in farming is “crucial” for farmers to provide a variety of consumer options. Consumers agree, with 86% responding that farmers should have the flexibility to explore different farming techniques. 

“Year after year, farmers and consumers have been feeling the pinch of high costs, and that is only exacerbated when individual states enact restrictions on production practices that ultimately impact prices at the grocery store,” Johnson said. 

Iowa Capital Dispatch is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Iowa Capital Dispatch maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Kathie Obradovich for questions: [email protected]. Follow Iowa Capital Dispatch on Facebook and Twitter.