

June 2025
Edition
A Message from Our CEO
To our customers,
As global trade dynamics continue to shift, we remain committed to keeping you informed and prepared. We’re grateful for your continued support during these uncertain times and remain focused on providing you with the highest quality products and services.
With Chinese tariffs temporarily reduced as of May 14th, container volume has been surging. Spot market rates for Transpacific routes have nearly doubled since early May. Renewed demand has strained shipping capacity out of China, leading to port congestion, longer transit times, and increased risk of cargo delays. At Roland Foods, we’re actively managing these challenges through our global sourcing network to maintain a steady supply for our customers.
It appears as if a more permanent U.S.–China trade agreement is taking shape, with tariffs likely to stay at current levels. Tariffs on our impacted goods currently total 55%. This includes a 10% baseline, 20% tied to fentanyl-related enforcement, and a 25% continuation of Section 301 tariffs.
Key Dates to Watch Moving Forward
- July 9, 2025 – 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs ends
- August 10, 2025 – 90-day suspension on China’s 125% tariff ends
On the agricultural front, the lychee outlook is positive, with early indicators pointing to greater availability compared to last year. However, given the significantly higher tariffs now placed on Chinese goods, we are actively exploring alternative sourcing regions to ensure supply continuity.
Coconut harvesting in Southeast Asia continues to experience significant challenges. Late spring and early summer are the typical high season for coconut harvesting, but conditions have not been improving. Excessive rain and heat have lowered overall yields, while crop diseases continue to weaken production. At the same time, a spike in export demand during the recent 90-day tariff suspension intensified shipment volumes, further tightening supply. These combined pressures have driven market prices up nearly 90%, creating volatility in the category.
In remaining transparent with our customers, we want to highlight Roland Foods’ proactive decisions in response to the current landscape:
- Tariff Impact Mitigation – As we navigate the new tariff landscape, we are actively implementing logistics solutions to minimize the impact on our operations and our customers.
- Securing Crop Supply – Given ongoing uncertainty in global agriculture, we remain in close contact with our trusted partners and are pursuing alternative sourcing strategies in regions most affected by elevated tariffs.
Thank you for your continued partnership.

Keith Dougherty
CEO of Roland Foods