The Reason Why Bananas Might Be Really Hard to Find in Grocery Stores Soon (and Prices May Go Up)

Ashia Aubourg
·2 min read
bunches of bananas for sale at the market
Credit: Fabian Krause/EyeEm/Getty Images Credit: Fabian Krause/EyeEm/Getty Images

Your shopping routine may hit a snag in the next few weeks. According to a new report from Reuters, port workers responsible for importing and exporting various agricultural, pharmaceutical, auto, and other goods intend to go on strike after their six-year contract expires at midnight on September 30, 2024.

Here’s what we know: Nearly 45,000 union workers plan to walk off the job across seaports on the East and Gulf Coasts of the U.S. That’s because employees of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) union are demanding pay increases. If their requests aren’t met, vital trade processes will be stopped.

The ports in consideration process about half of all U.S. imports (!). This pause in handling would disrupt the availability of a range of goods, including coffee, bananas, life-saving medications, apparel, and more. The ILA hasn’t hosted a strike of this magnitude since 1977.

With the potential strike looming, bananas and coffee will immediately experience shortages and higher prices. The U.S. imports three-quarters of its bananas from countries like Guatemala and Ecuador; with this blockage, it’d be impossible for the fruit to enter the country. Plus, the nation brings in the world’s second-highest amount of coffee beans thanks to its big suppliers from Brazil, Colombia, Vietnam, and Guatemala. With this halt, you’ll likely experience some less-than-desirable changeups to your morning latte.

Maersk, an integrated logistics company that offers supply chain solutions for managing shipments and cargo, told Reuters that even a one-week shutdown of these ports would lead to six weeks of recovery for the economy.

In the event that negotiations between the parties are unsuccessful, shoppers might need to explore alternative options for obtaining popular grocery staples in the weeks ahead. If an agreement is not reached, shoppers can expect notable price changes for products like bananas and coffee on store shelves.

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