The consumer society has to take it. Up until now, practically every desired product was available quickly, but there are now massive delivery bottlenecks. In all areas.
There are several reasons for this: Corona, weather, lack of raw materials and the increasing demand after the pandemic. This is sometimes shamelessly exploited by companies deliberately reducing their offer in order to drive up the prices and to be able to cash in.
Blick shows where the biggest problems lie.
transport
A ship that blocks the Suez Canal for days, a gigantic traffic jam due to corona infections in front of China’s ports: the supply chains are interrupted worldwide.
Goods are also left lying around on European roads because there is a shortage of offspring among truck drivers. The British market research company TI estimates that around 400,000 drivers are missing in Europe.
Kaspar Engeli (57), Director of Commerce Switzerland: “Switzerland is particularly badly affected by goods from Asia.” On the other hand, truck drivers are not a big problem in Switzerland, as one can switch to rail or the Rhine.
A nuisance are shipping companies who are reluctant to make their ships available. Engeli: “They play tactical games and consciously drive up prices. Certainly lead a price policy like OPEC used to do with oil. ” In Africa there are many empty containers that nobody wants to pick up because of the high transport prices.
Affected: Bicycles, furniture, groceries and many other imported goods, especially from Asia
energy
It’s going to be a hard winter. Because gas is currently very scarce globally, partly because of last winter, which was long and frosty. In addition, Nigeria, as one of the most important suppliers, brings less gas to the market than usual. Russia has also cut gas exports to Europe, which is driving up prices.
Due to the lack of wind, there is also massively less green electricity from wind power plants in the sea. CNN warns that “hundreds of millions of people” in Europe are freezing and sitting on high electricity bills. In addition, the lack of energy also increases the cost of manufacturing products of all kinds.
Affected: Heating, production of goods
semiconductor
No chips without semiconductors. Due to a lack of raw materials, tensions between China and the USA and Corona, the semiconductor market has collapsed. It is unable to satisfy the demand, which has risen again after the pandemic. The consequences can be felt wherever there is electronics.
According to forecasts, it will be possible to produce 7.7 million fewer cars worldwide this year. Certain brands are replacing digital speedometers with conventional pointers and foregoing assistance systems.
“Many producers have emptied Corona’s warehouses and now want to rebuild them,” says Kaspar Engeli.
Affected: Cars, cell phones, computers, game consoles, TV sets, control elements
textiles
Due to rising corona numbers in the important production country Vietnam, the production of sporting goods is stalling, for example at Adidas, Puma, Nike and the Swiss sports shoe manufacturer On. There is a lack of clothes and, above all, hiking boots, for which there is enormous demand after the Covid crisis.
Affected: Clothes, shoes, tents
wood
There is a lack of paper to print newspapers, cardboard for packaging and online shipping, and materials to make houses and furniture. Ikea has streamlined the range and removed items such as the popular Billy shelf from the range.
The reason for the shortage of wood: China’s ever-growing economy and a beetle plague that is causing Canada to fail as a wood supplier for the USA. Because Russia will ban the export of round timber from 2022 in order to promote its own economy, timber prices will rise massively.
The paper shortage leads to a run on waste paper. Beat Kneubühler (49), Managing Director of the Paper and Cardboard Recycling Association: “The prices have risen two to three times since the beginning of the pandemic.” Because of the demand for packaging, sometimes better quality waste paper migrated to this area, which further exacerbates the paper shortage.
Affected: Building materials, furniture, paper, packaging, heating
plastic
With the beginning of the pandemic, the signs initially pointed to a lull in plastics as well. But then the great demand set in. But a lack of raw materials and high energy consumption lead to increased prices.
Affected: all plastic products, car tires