Cargo theft report 2025: $725 million in losses

Cargo theft trends in 2025

In 2025, CargoNet recorded 3,594 supply chain–related crimes in the United States and Canada, a figure nearly identical to the 3,607 crimes recorded in 2024. However, confirmed cargo theft incidents increased considerably, rising 18% year over year, from 2,243 to 2,646, the company reported.

Keith Lewis, Vice President of Operations at Verisk CargoNet, stated that criminal organizations have become more selective and “sophisticated,” as they now focus on high-value shipments rather than engaging in opportunistic theft, as they did from 2024 and earlier. This explains how losses could increase by 60% while the total volume of incidents remained stable.

Notable changes were observed in the most frequently stolen products, demonstrating how theft strategies evolved throughout the year. According to CargoNet data, the following product categories showed trend shifts:

• Food and beverages – 708 thefts, a 47% increase compared to 2024.
• Meat products, seafood, and nuts – Meat and seafood were highly targeted in the Northeast, particularly in New Jersey, while nut thefts were more common on the West Coast.
• Metals – A 77% increase, with continued demand for copper products.
• Electronics – Theft of consumer electronics such as televisions and personal computers declined, while theft of enterprise IT components and cryptocurrency mining hardware increased.
• Vehicle-related products – Tires, auto parts, and motor oils remained attractive to thieves, with a notable focus on engines and components destined for domestic vehicle assembly plants.

California, Texas, and Illinois were the states most affected by cargo theft in 2025. California recorded 1,218 incidents, with activity shifting toward historically lower-risk regions such as Kern County (an 82% increase) and San Joaquin County (a 44% increase). Other states with significant increases included New Jersey (50%), Indiana (30%), and Pennsylvania (24%).