John H. Elton, Inc. Spice Brokers Global Services Since 1949
Spice & Commodity Brokers in Greenpoint (Brooklyn), New York
John H. Elton, Inc., is a full service ingredient brokerage house specializing in herbs, spices, dried fruits and nuts.
Proud Member of:
American Spice Trade Association (ASTA)
©2025 John H. Elton Inc. New York, NY USA
February 27, 2026
The Supreme Court ruled in Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump that the IEEPA tariffs are illegal. The President added 10% global tariffs under Section 122 of the 1974 Trade Act in response - which are valid for 150 days and then would require Congressional extension - and may increase that to 15%. Most spices remain exempt from these new tariffs. ASTA has been educating membership on legalities, and also necessary refund next steps.
Pepper
The end of the Lunar New Year Holidays arrived with less demand for Vietnam - which will fully re-open next week - than may have been expected, even as they continued to cover quantities from Brazil. At the International Spice Conference in Cochin the pepper report presented a slight decline in world production during calendar 2026, and declining carryover stocks. Demand plasticity? International political upheaval perhaps explains the continued range-bound market despite the market conditions that one might expect to trigger more strength.
Other Spices:
There continues to be a general tightness of available spot inventories of many seeds in the U.S. markets; with the more favorable recent tariff news, hopefully there will be relief in the coming months. CLOVE inventories in the U.S. are extremely tight; there is a squeeze. Indian CUMIN levels continued to ease at origin, as both Bangladesh and China are staying out of the market. Their CHILLIE offers have plateaued at high levels in recent weeks. Turkey is now offering limited quantities of TARRAGON.
JHE IS NOW USDA ORGANIC CERTIFIED