Port of Los Angeles expects 35% drop in cargo shipments over next two weeks, while Port of Long Beach forecasts 44% decline, as tariffs take hold; Port of LA director estimates retailers have six- to eight-week supply of goods 'that will quickly dry up'

April 28, 2025 (Santa Ynez Valley News) –

Los Angeles' two big ports are each expecting about 40% fewer ships coming to unload cargo in the next two weeks as the Trump tariffs take hold.

Port of LA Executive Director Gene Seroka announced the news at the Harbor Commission meeting this week expecting cargo shipments to drop 35% in about two weeks. The Port of Long Beach has predicted a 44% decline starting the week of May 4. The two are the busiest container ports in North America.

Seroka told the commission that retailers may have a six- to eight-week supply of goods "but that will quickly dry up" and consumers may see empty shelves this summer.

Seroka added that large importers have "hit the pause button on cargo from China" unable to handle a 145% tariff.

"If you're buying a product from China, it costs 2.5 times more than it did last month."

Big box retailers have warned President Trump that consumers would see empty shelves this summer if this standoff drags on. Dock workers on the West Coast could see less work work as the ships that usually call end up staying away.

With Chinese retaliatory tariffs, farm exports are already suffering as well.

"These are hitting American businesses hard, particularly agriculture, heavy duty manufacturing, and the information technology and services sectors," Seroka added. "U.S. exporters are having an especially challenging time, so much so that in March, China bought more soybeans from Brazil in one month than ever in their history."

California ports play a major role in our agricultural shipments, handling both exports and imports. Key ports like Los Angeles and Long Beach are significant for containerized agricultural exports, with the Port of Oakland also a major gateway for agricultural exports, especially refrigerated proteins. The Port of Los Angeles, in particular, handles animal feed, cotton, and orange exports. Oakland is also predicting a major slowdown in shipping through their port.

The LA Times reports that LA County Economic Development Corporation laid out sobering new numbers detailing the impacts of President Trump's trade war. A report states that the tariffs threaten $500 billion in revenue for the region and put 2 million local workers at risk. With the impact of fires adding to their woes, the city of LA is predicting an $800 million budget shortfall.

Jock O'Connell, Beacon Economics' International Trade Advisor has said, "There can be no doubt that President Trump's new tariffs will severely limit the ability of California businesses to sell their products abroad."

With fewer ships ready to unload their Asian cargo, clearly there will be fewer ships to carry US cargo and farm products back to Asia. It's not just kids seeing fewer toys on retail shelves, California farmers are facing inability to sell their farm products to Asian customers. Citrus and almond shipments are likely to be impacted. Some 80% of almonds are exported.

"We are in a wait and see phase right now," says Almond Board spokesperson Taylor Hillman.

"The Almond Board of California is closely monitoring recent developments related to trade policies affecting the agricultural sector. Trade stability is critical to California's specialty crop economy, and ongoing uncertainty poses challenges for growers and rural communities."

Also this week, China canceled 12,000 metric tons of United States pork shipments according to data released Thursday.

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