US Port Strike Disrupts Beef and Seafood Supplies, Raising Concerns Over Shortages and Price Hikes
A labor strike at U.S. East Coast and Gulf Coast ports is disrupting imports of beef and seafood, threatening to cause shortages and price increases in the U.S. food supply chain.
Dockworkers halted operations across dozens of ports from Maine to Texas, blocking imports of key products like beef for hamburgers and frozen seafood. With U.S. beef supplies already tight due to a shrinking cattle herd, the strike could worsen the situation.
Importers of beef and seafood, such as Sorbello Refrigerated Services and PanaPesca USA, took steps to stock up ahead of the strike, but those measures are only expected to last for about a week.
“We’ve got ourselves maybe a week’s worth of lifeline,” said Dan Sorbello, principal of Sorbello Refrigerated Services.
The strike comes at a time when U.S. beef prices are already at record highs, with ground beef reaching $5.58 per pound in August.
The shrinking domestic cattle supply, driven by drought and high grain prices, had led to a surge in cheaper imports from countries like Australia, Brazil, and New Zealand.
Experts warn that if the strike persists beyond a week, the food supply chain will face serious challenges, potentially leading to shortages and price inflation.
“From a supply chain standpoint, this is a nightmare,” said Jason Miller, interim chair of Michigan State University’s supply chain management department.
Fast food chains like McDonald’s and Burger King, which rely on imported lean beef, could be particularly affected.
If overseas supplies run out, they may have to turn to more expensive domestic alternatives. Additionally, the strike is impacting U.S. chicken exports, as demand for chicken domestically slows with colder weather.
As more than 50 container ships wait offshore, the strike continues to disrupt the flow of goods, with no resolution in sight.
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