This does not seem to be a problem just in the United States, but all over the globe. A top Chinese port is now slammed with its worst traffic jam since August, sparking fears that the supply shortage has only just begun.

Worldwide, shortages on everything from food to garden supplies, to toiletries are being reported. The U.S. still has shipping containers stuck off the California coast waiting to be unloaded, while a top port in China is also historically backlogged. Is this all an “accident” or a “coincidence” that this is happening all at once? You decide.

According to a report by ZeroHedge, the number of container ships at anchor or drifting at one of the busiest ports in China has jumped to the highest level since August, indicating supply chain disruptions will continue into the holiday season. Right now is the critical period where US importers build inventory for Christmas shopping. If they fail to do so, expect shortages of popular consumer goods.

Some large retailers have resorted to chartering their own ships in order to get supplies on shelves.

Fust weeks ago, the number of container ships at anchor in San Pedro Bay off the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach reached a record high of 73 vessels.  Bottlenecks at container ports worldwide continue to snarl supply chains as vessels experience longer wait times to berth.

As ZeeroHedge noted, there is good news, and we were one of the first to observe what appears to be a peak in shipping rates in early October, noting that there was a “glimmer of hope” for global snarled supply chains, even if the rebound will likely prove to be far more painful.

According to a separate report by Yahoo News, shipping containers are piled high in Port Savannah. Nearly 80,000 shipping containers are stacked up on the docks.

These shortages still appear to be growing and with no end in sight, perhaps we should all consider getting any last-minute items we can. Do not wait to get that holiday turkey or the perfect Christmas gift if you see it. This year may prove to be a difficult holiday season.

We should all be aware of this and make appropriate changes to our preparedness plans. Learning to go without or planning ahead could make all the difference this season.