WASHINGTON — The spice that defines Maryland, Old Bay, is currently manufactured in the state, but the company that makes it, McCormick & Company, is facing a massive trade squeeze.

On Tuesday, the Hunt Valley-based giant told investors that current trade and tariff policies have created a substantial problem: a $140 million annualized gross tariff exposure. The company is navigating a complex trade environment that is making the cost of ingredients for its dozens of products, including the iconic Old Bay blend, significantly more expensive.

Why tariffs hit the spice aisle hardest

Why is a Maryland-made product susceptible to international tariffs? The answer lies in the global nature of the spice trade.

"The spice industry is uniquely impacted by the tariff issue because most spices t

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