Cargo Theft Losses Near $725 Million as Criminals Target Costly Goods

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Article Date: 2026-02-10T07:20:00-05:00
Article URL: https://www.supplychain247.com/article/cargonet-report-cargo-theft-losses-2025
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Summary

Verisk CargoNet’s annual analysis shows cargo theft losses across the U.S. and Canada surged about 60% in 2025 to nearly $725 million, even though the total number of supply chain crime events stayed roughly the same. Confirmed cargo thefts increased 18% (from 2,243 to 2,646 incidents) and the average loss per theft jumped 36% to around $273,990.

The report highlights a shift from opportunistic theft to more organised, targeted operations that go after higher-value shipments. Geographic patterns changed too: California remains the top state for incidents, but thefts moved away from Los Angeles County toward Kern and San Joaquin counties, and other states such as New Jersey, Indiana and Pennsylvania saw sharp increases.

Targeted commodities changed markedly: food and beverage thefts rose 47% (notably meat, seafood and tree nuts), metal thefts climbed 77% (driven by copper), and criminals are increasingly focusing on enterprise computing components and crypto-mining equipment rather than consumer electronics. CargoNet warns that theft-by-deception — misdirecting shipments and bypassing compliance — is expected to grow in 2026.

Key Points

Total estimated losses reached nearly $725 million in 2025 — a 60% year-on-year increase.
Confirmed cargo theft incidents rose 18% to 2,646, while overall supply chain crime events remained broadly flat (3,594 events).
The average value per theft jumped to about $273,990 (up 36%), reflecting criminals’ focus on higher-value shipments.
Big shifts in targets: food & beverage thefts up 47%; metal theft up 77%; move from consumer electronics to enterprise computing and crypto-mining kit.
Geographic movement of theft hotspots (e.g. within California) and notable increases in states such as New Jersey, Indiana and Pennsylvania.
CargoNet expects organised groups to keep pursuing high-value tech parts in 2026 and predicts more theft-by-deception schemes.

Context and Relevance

For shippers, carriers and 3PLs, this report signals a tactical change in how criminals operate: fewer opportunistic grabs, more intelligence-driven strikes on high-value cargo. That raises insurance exposures, supply risk and the need to rethink security and chain-of-custody controls. The trend also intersects with broader supply-chain pressures — high-value electronic components shortages, strong commodity prices for metals, and complex multimodal transport networks — making theft prevention a strategic business issue, not just an operational nuisance.

Author style

Punchy: This is important — the rise in dollar losses shows criminals have become selective and professional. If you handle high-value shipments, this isn’t a ‘nice-to-know’ — it’s a direct hit to margins and continuity that needs fresh controls.

Why should I read this?

Short version: thieves aren’t stealing more often — they’re stealing smarter and pricier. If you move meat, metal, or enterprise tech (think RAM, storage drives, crypto rigs), you need to change how you protect and track those loads. Reading this saves you a nasty surprise in claims and supply interruptions.