US analysis reveals that, despite stable incident numbers in 2025, the financial impact of supply chain theft has surged by 60 per cent, driven by organised groups targeting more valuable cargoes including high-tech components and precious metals, with California remaining the epicentre of activity.
A Verisk CargoNet analysis shows that while the overall count of supply‑chain crime remained broadly unchanged in 2025, the financial toll climbed steeply, with estimated losses approaching $725 million, roughly 60 per cent higher than the previous year. Industry reporting links the jump to a pronounced turn by organised groups towards more valuable consignments, lifting the mean loss per incident substantially. [2],[5]
CargoNet recorded 3,594 supply‑chain crime events across the United States and Canada in 2025, a marginal decline from 2024, yet incidents confirmed as cargo theft rose markedly to 2,646, up about 18 per cent. The average value stolen per incident rose to $273,990, reflecting a strategy of fewer but higher‑value operations. [5],[6]
Geographically, California remained the epicentre of activity, accounting for more than a third of reported incidents, with notable county‑level swings: Los Angeles County eased, while Kern and San Joaquin counties saw sharp increases. Texas and Illinois also featured among the most affected states, and together the three top states accounted for nearly 52 per cent of losses. Other states including New Jersey, Indiana and Pennsylvania recorded significant year‑on‑year rises. [1],[5]
Shifts in targeted commodities were dramatic. Food and beverage thefts climbed about 47 per cent, with meat, seafood and tree nuts singled out in different regions. Metal thefts surged, driven largely by demand for copper, rising by roughly 77 per cent in 2025 and nearly doubling in some quarters. At the same time, criminal focus moved toward enterprise computing hardware and cryptocurrency mining equipment, while thefts of consumer electronics fell. [1],[2],[4]
Quarterly data underline the momentum behind high‑value thefts. In the second quarter CargoNet recorded 884 events and estimated losses above $128 million, with metals showing particularly steep growth, and by the third quarter the average reported shipment value had roughly doubled year‑on‑year as thieves concentrated on premium technology and mining rigs. These quarterly patterns illustrate an escalation in selectivity and sophistication. [4],[3],[7]
CargoNet and trade coverage predict that high‑end technology components, such as RAM modules, storage drives and enterprise servers, will remain prime targets in 2026, keeping recovery costs and insurance exposures elevated. Industry observers say this poses mounting challenges for shippers, carriers and insurers, who must adapt security and risk‑management practices to counter more organised, commodity‑focused adversaries. [2],[3]
Warehouses, distribution centres and truck stops continued to be the most frequently exploited location types, highlighting persistent vulnerabilities at transhipment and parking points. As losses concentrate on fewer but more valuable cargoes, carriers and logistics operators are under pressure to harden physical security, refine route planning and improve real‑time visibility to reduce opportunities for organised theft rings. [1],[2]
Source Reference Map
Inspired by headline at: [1]
Sources by paragraph:
– Paragraph 1: [2], [5]
– Paragraph 2: [5], [6]
– Paragraph 3: [1], [5]
– Paragraph 4: [1], [2], [4]
– Paragraph 5: [4], [3], [7]
– Paragraph 6: [2], [3]
– Paragraph 7: [1], [2]
Source: Noah Wire Services
Verification / Sources
- https://www.claimsjournal.com/news/national/2026/01/28/335280.htm – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.cargonet.com/news-and-events/cargonet-in-the-media/2025-theft-trends/ – Verisk CargoNet’s 2025 analysis reveals that while the total number of supply chain crime incidents remained relatively stable, estimated losses surged to nearly $725 million—a 60% increase from 2024. This rise is attributed to organized crime groups increasingly targeting high-value shipments, with the average theft value rising by 36% to $273,990. The report also highlights significant increases in thefts of food and beverage products (47%) and metals (77%), driven by demand for copper. Additionally, enterprise computing hardware and cryptocurrency mining equipment emerged as top-tier targets for organized criminal groups.
- https://www.cargonet.com/news-and-events/cargonet-in-the-media/2025-q3-theft-trends/ – In the third quarter of 2025, CargoNet recorded 772 cargo theft events across the United States and Canada, a 1% increase compared to Q3 2024. The total value of stolen goods reached $111.88 million, driven by organized crime groups targeting high-value shipments of enterprise computer hardware, cryptocurrency mining equipment, and copper products. The average stolen shipment value doubled to $336,787, up from $168,448 in Q3 2024, indicating a strategic shift in targeting by cargo thieves.
- https://www.ajot.com/news/cargo-theft-surges-13-year-over-year-in-second-quarter-as-organized-crime-target-high-value-commodities – In the second quarter of 2025, CargoNet recorded 884 supply chain theft events across the United States and Canada, representing a 13% increase compared to the same period in 2024. The estimated total loss value exceeded $128 million. The data reveals an acceleration in theft activity throughout the quarter, with incidents increasing 14.6% in April, 4.4% in May, and a substantial 21.9% surge in June. Metals theft experienced the most dramatic increase, nearly doubling with a 96% year-over-year surge to 53 incidents.
- https://www.carriermanagement.com/news/2026/01/22/283728.htm – Carrier Management reports that cargo theft losses surged 60% in 2025, reaching nearly $725 million. The average theft value rose to $273,990, up 36% from 2024, driven by more selective, high-value targeting by organized groups. Approximately 3,594 supply chain crime events across the United States and Canada were reported in 2025, slightly lower than the 3,607 events reported in 2024. Incidents involving confirmed cargo theft rose sharply, increasing 18% year-over-year from 2,243 to 2,646.
- https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2026/01/27/855716.htm – Insurance Journal highlights that cargo theft losses in 2025 experienced a 60% increase from 2024, reaching nearly $725 million. The average theft value rose to $273,990, up 36% from $202,364 in 2024, driven by more selective, high-value targeting by organized groups. Approximately 3,594 supply chain crime events across the United States and Canada were reported in 2025, slightly lower than the 3,607 events reported in 2024. Incidents involving confirmed cargo theft rose sharply, increasing 18% year-over-year from 2,243 to 2,646.
- https://www.trucknews.com/security/cargo-theft-surges-13-in-q2-organized-crime-targets-high-value-freight/1003199682/ – Truck News reports that cargo theft incidents in the U.S. and Canada rose 13% year-over-year in the second quarter of 2025, with organized crime groups increasingly targeting high-value commodities. CargoNet recorded 884 supply chain theft events between April and June, marking a 10% increase over the first quarter of 2025. The estimated total loss exceeded $128 million when factoring in average shipment values for cases where specific losses were not reported. The average stolen shipment value reached $203,586.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score: 10
Notes: The article was published on January 28, 2026, and references data from 2025, indicating high freshness. No evidence of recycled or outdated content was found.
Quotes check
Score: 10
Notes: The article does not contain direct quotes. All information is paraphrased from CargoNet’s reports, which are publicly accessible.
Source reliability
Score: 10
Notes: The primary source, CargoNet, is a reputable entity specialising in cargo theft prevention and recovery. The article cites CargoNet’s official reports, which are accessible on their website. No signs of derivative content or reliance on low-quality sources were found.
Plausability check
Score: 10
Notes: The claims align with known trends in cargo theft, such as increased targeting of high-value shipments and specific commodities. The data is consistent with previous reports from CargoNet and other reputable sources. No inconsistencies or implausible claims were identified.
Overall assessment
Veredict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary: The article is a recent, factual news report based on publicly accessible CargoNet reports. It does not contain direct quotes, relies on a reputable source, and presents plausible information consistent with known trends. No issues with paywalls, content type, or verification independence were identified.