"Global Supply Chain Disruptions Loom as Shipping Costs Skyrocket"
The price of consumer goods could skyrocket this year due to soaring shipping costs, according to a study by the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS). The global trading system is facing significant cracks, with procurement professionals warning that volatility has become a permanent feature of international trade.
Shipping and logistics are expected to see the largest price increases in 2026, with nearly a fifth of respondents reporting cost hikes of over 10%. Electronics and machinery prices are also likely to rise, with 18% of respondents noting significant price jumps for computers and peripheral equipment. Transport equipment and electrical machinery will also feel the pinch.
The surge in shipping costs is largely driven by increasing fuel prices and energy costs. The Freightos Baltic Index reported a 30% increase in average spot shipping rates between Asia and the US west coast, from $2,145 to $2,757 for a standard shipping container. This rise has significant implications for businesses and consumers alike.
Ben Farrell, CEO of CIPS, notes that procurement professionals are often the first to spot rising prices or supply chain disruptions. He warns that volatility is no longer an exception, but rather a permanent feature of international trade. When logistics costs can swing by 20-30% in weeks, these pressures inevitably ripple through to businesses and consumers.
The recent increase in tensions between the US and Iran, combined with Donald Trump's threats to take over Greenland and impose further tariffs on European allies, has sent investors fleeing and disrupted global supply chains. The possibility of war is also causing uncertainty and driving up prices for essential goods.
As a result, consumer inflation is expected to rise further this year, driven by the rising costs of shipping and logistics. With procurement professionals warning of significant price jumps across various categories, it's likely that consumers will feel the impact in their daily lives.
The price of consumer goods could skyrocket this year due to soaring shipping costs, according to a study by the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS). The global trading system is facing significant cracks, with procurement professionals warning that volatility has become a permanent feature of international trade.
Shipping and logistics are expected to see the largest price increases in 2026, with nearly a fifth of respondents reporting cost hikes of over 10%. Electronics and machinery prices are also likely to rise, with 18% of respondents noting significant price jumps for computers and peripheral equipment. Transport equipment and electrical machinery will also feel the pinch.
The surge in shipping costs is largely driven by increasing fuel prices and energy costs. The Freightos Baltic Index reported a 30% increase in average spot shipping rates between Asia and the US west coast, from $2,145 to $2,757 for a standard shipping container. This rise has significant implications for businesses and consumers alike.
Ben Farrell, CEO of CIPS, notes that procurement professionals are often the first to spot rising prices or supply chain disruptions. He warns that volatility is no longer an exception, but rather a permanent feature of international trade. When logistics costs can swing by 20-30% in weeks, these pressures inevitably ripple through to businesses and consumers.
The recent increase in tensions between the US and Iran, combined with Donald Trump's threats to take over Greenland and impose further tariffs on European allies, has sent investors fleeing and disrupted global supply chains. The possibility of war is also causing uncertainty and driving up prices for essential goods.
As a result, consumer inflation is expected to rise further this year, driven by the rising costs of shipping and logistics. With procurement professionals warning of significant price jumps across various categories, it's likely that consumers will feel the impact in their daily lives.
I can imagine how stressful this news must be for businesses and consumers alike... the thought of prices skyrocketing due to shipping costs is just, like, so overwhelming 
... and it's not just about the money, it's also about the uncertainty and volatility that comes with it 
... have you noticed how some products are already getting more expensive? 
... I feel for all those procurement professionals who have to deal with this daily... they must be feeling like they're constantly on edge 
... what's your take on this? Will we see a rise in inflation and consumer prices? 
. i totally get why there's tension between the us and iran, but war is not what we need right now. and don't even get me started on tariffs 
. it's like our whole economy is all out of whack. as someone who loves diy projects and making stuff at home, it just means i'll have to pay more for my favorite gadgets 
. maybe i can try making my own electronics or something... but seriously, when are we gonna see some stability in these shipping costs? 
! Shipping costs are already so high now, and if they keep going up like this, expect prices for all consumer goods to skyrocket 
The thought of 20-30% price swings in weeks is just crazy 
. And what's with the global supply chain disruptions and tensions between countries? It feels like we're living in a real-life game of Risk 
. As a consumer, I'm just over it – can't we just have stable prices for once?! 
. seems like some people are just too invested in this global supply chain drama 
, need to take a step back and look at the bigger picture, you feel?
. I mean, who doesn't love paying more for stuff? It's not like we've been complaining about prices rising for years or anything 
. And yeah, let's just ignore the whole war thing and the fact that global supply chains are basically on the brink of collapse. Fingers crossed everything just magically works out in 2026 
.
anyway, what do you think is gonna happen to our daily lives cuz of this?
. I mean, 30% increase just for a standard shipping container? That's mental! And with tensions between the US and Iran still simmering, I don't see how we can avoid higher prices for electronics and machinery too. Computers, peripherals... it's all gonna cost more 
And don't even get me started on the electronics prices - I need new headphones ASAP, but now they might be super expensive 
. I guess this is a good time to consider buying local or supporting local businesses... that's not always easy though 
I think we're in for a wild ride with global supply chains taking a major hit 
. Shipping costs are on the verge of skyrocketing and it's not just about a little price hike 
.
- we've seen supply chain disruptions before and we've navigated them 
. But this time feels different because of the sheer scale and unpredictability of these changes 
. The fact that procurement pros are warning about permanent volatility in international trade 
- shipping costs are going up faster than I can keep up! And it's not just me, consumer inflation is expected to rise further this year 
) will tell!
shipping costs are going through the roof and I'm worried about how it's gonna affect people's daily lives 
what's happening is that the whole global system is getting more and more unpredictable 