While the total number of reported cargo theft incidents remained relatively unchanged in 2025, a recent report shows that criminals are becoming more adept at targeting high-value loads.
On Wednesday, Jan. 21, New Jersey-based freight security firm CargoNet released its 2025 Supply Chain Risk Trends. According to that report, despite the total number of reported thefts remaining near the 2024 level – with 3,594 thefts in 2025 compared to 3,625 the year prior – estimated losses from cargo theft surged 60% over the previous year.
CargoNet estimates total cargo theft losses in 2025 at nearly $455 million. The biggest reason for that increase, according to Keith Lewis, vice president of operations for CargoNet, has been the emergence of criminal organizations and their ability to target cost-dense loads.
“Criminal enterprises are becoming more selective and sophisticated, targeting extremely high-value shipments rather than relying on opportunistic theft,” Lewis said in a statement. “This strategic shift explains how losses can rise 60% even as overall incident volume holds steady.”
The company’s analysis shows the average value per cargo theft rose 36% this past year, climbing from $202,364 in 2024 to $273,990 in 2025.
CargoNet reports a shift in targeted commodities last year, with food and beverage seeing the largest increase, up 47% from 2024. Additionally, metal theft increased by 77% over the previous year, driven by high demand for copper products. The company also noted a decline in the theft of consumer-grade electronics such as televisions and personal computers.
In terms of where theft was most prevalent the past year, the top three states were the usual suspects – California, Illinois and Texas. Those three states accounted for nearly 53% of all reported theft in 2025.
While most theft was concentrated in those states, CargoNet said that “theft activity continued to expand beyond traditional hotspots”, with significant increases in New Jersey (up 50%), Indiana (up 30%), and Pennsylvania (up 24%).
Efforts are in place to combat cargo theft on Capitol Hill.
Introduced in April 2025, the Combatting Organized Retail Crime Act aims to reduce cargo crime by strengthening law enforcement’s legal tools to pursue and prosecute cargo thieves.
The bill would also mandate the creation of the Organized Retail and Supply Chain Crime Coordination Center within Homeland Security Investigations and the Department of Homeland Security. Lawmakers contend this would facilitate collaboration between federal and local agencies investigating cargo crimes.
The proposed legislation currently has 203 co-sponsors. During a recent Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session, the House Committee on the Judiciary approved the bill and sent it to the full chamber for a vote. LL
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