“We have a tight margin in the best of times.”
Chris, owner of Raven Hook Bakehouse in Washington DC, says the current administration’s tariffs have sharply increased the cost of key ingredients and packaging—some by about 30% compared to last year. Items like sugar, chocolate, seeds, dried fruits, and most paper and plastic packaging come from overseas and have become more expensive and harder to source. With already tight margins and a commitment to keeping high-quality bread affordable, these rising costs—especially for necessary bags and boxes—are putting significant pressure on the bakery’s business model.