Toilet paper sales increase amid port strike

SEEKONK, Mass. (WLNE) — Residents up and down the East Coast are growing uneasy after nearly 50,000 port workers went on strike on Oct. 1.

One employee at Walmart in Seekonk said she decided to stock up on toilet paper and bottled water after seeing the products fly off the shelves over the last 24 hours.

ABC6 observed a noticeable amount of empty space on the shelves at Walmart.

One customer said he was not worried yet but added he thinks the surge in sales could lead to trouble in the long run.

“My grandmother stocks up a lot on water,” Joseph DaSilva said. “Right now I’m not too concerned, but in the next few weeks I would imagine we’re going to be affected quite a bit.”

Officials estimate about 90% of United States toilet paper consumption comes from domestic factories and is transported by either truck or train, meaning it should not be impacted by the strike.

On the other hand, perishable goods that are mostly imported by ship, such as bananas, could be in shortage.

Other fruits like cherries and raw food materials like sugar and cocoa are also at risk of being in short supply.

Officials say anyone hoping to get imported beers, wines or spirits for the holidays may have to plan ahead.

Additionally, any cars manufactured overseas could prove tough to get if the strike goes on long enough.