Virginia port strike could spark banana and booze shortage

The big picture: Thousands of unionized dockworkers at 14 major East and Gulf Coast ports, including roughly 3,400 Port of Virginia workers, went on strike at 12:01am Tuesday when a new labor contract wasn't solidified.

• Those ports handle more than half of the cargo shipped to the U.S. from around the world.
• At this point, the strike is creating a backlog of containers, which could take weeks to clear, CBSNews reported.
• Consumers likely won't see shortages (and price hikes) unless it stretches into two or three weeks.

Zoom in: Here's what usually goes through the ports on strike — and will likely be affected if the strike goes on —  according to the American Farm Bureau Federation:

• 🍌 75% of the country's banana imports
• 🍒 90% of imported cherries
• 🥫 85% of canned food
• 🌶️ 82% of hot peppers
• 🍫 80% of the nation's imported chocolate
• 🍷 80% of imported beer, wine, whiskey and scotch
• 🍹60% of rum

Plus: Imported seafood, coffee, car parts, tires, clothes, furniture and electronics could also be affected in the coming weeks.

The bottom line: A shutdown that wraps up soon likely won't be felt by most people — but a prolonged stoppage could cause broader economic impacts. So start hoarding.