Geopolitical conflicts, strike threats and weather-related disasters tested supply chains in 2022, adding new headaches for businesses still grappling with the fallout from the pandemic.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine led to tight supply and high prices for certain commodities, forcing some companies to overhaul operations and rethink their sourcing strategies. Meanwhile, COVID-19 lockdowns in China sent businesses scrambling for alternatives as some suppliers idled production.
Transportation delays also continued to plague shippers in 2022. Service constraints at U.S. railroads prompted shippers to call for federal intervention, and backlogs began cropping up at East Coast ports as businesses diverted cargo away from the West Coast.
Here’s a look back at some of the major disruptions that defined supply chains in 2022.