The strike by 45,000 dockworkers from the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) has entered its second day, causing significant disruptions to import and export operations along the East Coast and the Gulf of Mexico. This situation has sparked rising concerns among consumers, leading to panic buying of essential items like toilet paper and food imported from Asia. Local Chinese supermarket owners in the Northeast are reporting potential shortages and price increases for many goods as a result of the strike.
On October 2, I spoke with Ian Almengo, who manages shipment logistics at a Costco in Brooklyn’s Sunset Park. He mentioned that tensions among dockworkers had been escalating in a WhatsApp group with over 3,000 members. While Almengo noted that Costco’s domestic supply chains had not yet been affected, he predicted that the spike in demand for essentials like toilet paper following the strike announcement would likely soon lead to price hikes.
In Flushing, I interviewed supermarket manager Wu Jianxi, who emphasized that products imported from Southeast Asia—particularly from countries like China, Thailand, and Vietnam—are experiencing severe disruptions. He elaborated that the inability to unload shipping containers means staples, dry goods, and daily necessities will take longer to restock.
Wu pointed out that imported rice, especially from Thailand, would be among the first commodities to feel the impact of the strike due to its high demand and low inventory levels. “We’ve begun stockpiling our current inventory and expect to see noticeable price increases in the coming weeks,” he said.
He warned that if the strike persists, particularly with dwindling supplies of imported goods, price hikes are inevitable. Wu projected increases of up to 100% for essentials like rice, dry goods, cooking oil, and condiments, advising customers to stock up on necessities for at least one to two months.
Interestingly, many shoppers didn’t seem overly concerned about the ongoing strike. For example, Ms. Li, who was picking up some Chinese dry goods, said she was unaware of the labor situation and felt no urgency to stockpile. “Who knows what will happen tomorrow? There’s no reason to panic,” she remarked.
Additionally, the upcoming Lunar New Year celebrations are causing anxiety within the Chinese community. Supermarkets typically start receiving holiday merchandise from China in November, including festive foods, decorations, and gifts. However, if the strike drags on for weeks, the supply chain could be significantly impacted, potentially delaying shipments until January or February—putting the holiday shopping season and festive spirit at risk.
Experts indicate that while consumers may not feel the strike’s effects right away, it has reignited fears reminiscent of supply chain disruptions experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is contributing to the current rush for essential goods. Perishable items like bananas are expected to be more affected compared to durable goods like toilet paper, and prices for imported coffee and frozen foods could also rise as the strike continues.
