Pandemic-related headlines are coming back to frequency as China continues to struggle with the spread of the disease, leading to the shut down of transportation amid a lockdown. Shanghai, one of the world’s primary centers for finance, manufacturing and trade, now has 26 million people barred from leaving their homes until at least April 3rd. Concerns loom over the operation of shipping containers at the world’s busiest port.

Trucking and warehouses are also significantly impacted from the spread of the Omicron variant. U.S. commodity markets are under pressure now as traders wrestle with the risk of an impeded world shipping stage.

Read more on China’s response to the COVID-19 spread and its impact on ag shipping here.