'Panic shopping has begun': TikTok users stock up on toilet paper and groceries amid port strike fears

Inciting attacks on US ports Fear of buying food And other products nationwide this week, according to social media trends.

Unionized dockworkers from The International Longshoremen's Association went on strike to fight for higher wages after their contract with the US Maritime Alliance expires on Monday night.

The strike, halted after workers reached a tentative deal on a 62% wage increase, prevented some containers of food and other goods from entering the country, prompting some Americans to take to TikTok to document their shopping experience.

TikTok user @nicolewilliams559 who said, “Panic shopping begins in Virginia amid port closures.” Long line filming at his local grocery store. “BJ's wholesale toilet paper and water almost out by 10am”

Baltimore restaurant owner says port strike already affecting business: 'It really hurts'

“Stop it. Just stop,” said another User, @victoria.ajl Wrote “100s in line for paper towels again.”

TikTok user @Txblondie2024 filmed a video of all the toilet paper and paper towels being gone from her local store.

“Don't panic because the ports are closed,” he told his followers, “because guess what people have done here? All the toilet paper is gone and the paper towels are back. You know why? People are panicking. Guess it's made in the USA. has been

Kylie, A Tick ​​momTake to the platform to share the experience of visiting multiple stores to find the right formula for her baby.

“I didn't mind the port strike,” he said. “I knew we were going to be affected, but not at this level.”

Another mom on TikTok said parents like her are crying because they don't have enough formula for their children due to hoarding.

“Mom, I understand you're stressing about this formula deficiency, but you have to be considerate of others,” TikTok user @dpags1234 Appeal “We moms should support other moms. I see moms buying 20 plus cans of formula when stores are now restricting formula purchases, which they should. If you buy 20 plus cans our moms have nothing.”

Other users documented their trips to the grocery store to stock up for fear of possible food shortages.

Fox News Digital connected with Ken Mahoney, president of Mahoney Asset Management, who explained the panic buying.

“It seems to be almost a phenomenon in grocery stores that the shelves are full, even if those things aren't going to be bought, so people don't panic and start thinking there's a lack,” he explained.

“In this case, those shelves might not actually be full because there's a shortage, and that can cause people to just fend for themselves and stockpile a ton of products (that they might not even need),” he continued. “Once people have an idea that there is, or is going to be, a shortage, irrational behavior can begin, such as buying all the bananas at the grocery store.”

While many were worried, Ted Jenkin, CEO and co-founder of Oxygen Financial, told Fox News Digital that Americans don't need to hit the panic button just yet.

“For everyday things, Americans don't need to hit the panic button on Day 1,” he explained, “However, if the strike lasts a few weeks or extends for 30 days (edit) seafood, alcohol and bananas could see a big increase in prices. Cell phones, computers and auto parts will also be vulnerable to supply.”

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TOPSHOT – Dockworkers gather at the Bayport Container Terminal in Seabrook, Texas on October 1, 2024. (Photo by Marc Felix/AFP) (Photo by Marc Felix/AFP via Getty Images) (via Mark Felix/AFP Getty Images)

Jenkin explained that most holiday products have already been shipped from overseas as some retailers “stocked up in anticipation that this strike was possible.”

“Some companies have already shifted their container shipments to West Coast ports, which shouldn't hurt the holiday supply chain, but consumers may see slightly higher prices due to increased shipping costs,” he said.