Arizona Iced Tea potentially facing price increase, with founder Don Vultaggio discussing the rationale behind it.
In a surprising turn of events, the iconic AriZona Iced Tea, priced at 99 cents since 1997, may soon see a price adjustment. This potential change is attributed to the increased tariffs on imported aluminum, a policy implemented by former President Donald Trump.
The tariffs, now at 50% on the aluminum content of goods, have been in place since June 20225. These tariffs, part of expanded Section 232 steel and aluminum levies, have caused inflationary cost-push pressures that producers often pass on to consumers.
AriZona Iced Tea, like many other beverages, commonly uses aluminum cans in its packaging. The increased import duty on aluminum would, therefore, increase packaging costs. With manufacturers often passing these cost increases to consumers, it's likely that the retail price of AriZona Iced Tea may also rise.
Although no explicit product-specific pricing data for AriZona Iced Tea is available, the overall impact on aluminum packaging costs suggests that the price to consumers for the drink may have increased as a result of these tariffs.
Don Vultaggio, the founder of AriZona Iced Tea, has expressed concerns about the feasibility of maintaining the 99-cent price due to the tariffs. Despite these concerns, Vultaggio is still committed to finding ways to reduce the cost of the popular beverage.
The company has already taken steps to save money, such as building production facilities around the US to save on shipping costs and reducing the size of the 23-ounce can to 22 ounces in 2022. Vultaggio is also looking for ways to reduce the price of AriZona Iced Tea, including passing on savings from lower crude oil costs for PET to customers through deeper promotions or outright price cuts.
As the tariffs on imported aluminum remain in place, the future price of AriZona Iced Tea remains uncertain. However, with Vultaggio's commitment to finding solutions and the company's previous successful strategies in navigating challenges, fans of the drink may still be able to enjoy their favourite beverage at an affordable price.
[1] "Trump's Tariffs on Aluminum and Steel: What You Need to Know." Council on Foreign Relations, 22 Mar. 2018, www.cfr.org/backgrounder/trumps-tariffs-aluminum-and-steel. [2] "Aluminum Tariffs: What They Mean for U.S. Manufacturers." National Association of Manufacturers, 8 Mar. 2018, www.nam.org/Newsroom/News-Articles/2018/03/08/Aluminum-Tariffs-What-They-Mean-for-U-S-Manufacturers. [3] "Aluminum Tariffs: A Primer." The Balance, 12 Mar. 2018, www.thebalance.com/aluminum-tariffs-what-you-need-to-know-3306077.
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