As U.S. ports from Texas to Maine prepare for a possible strike, consumers are beginning to stock up on essential supplies. Experts warn that the sector conflict could cause shortages and price increases for everyday items.

“If there is a strike, supermarket prices will rise higher than ever,” John Catsimatidis, chairman and CEO of Gristedes and D’Agostino Supermarkets, said on “Varney & Co.” Monday.

“I wasn’t prepared because I didn’t know (about the strike), but now that I do, I will look into it. I will look into it,” one woman told FOX Business’ Madison Alworth on Friday in a Gristedes case. store in New York City. “I’d stock up on the same amount, not ridiculous, but at least try to get a few more things just in case.”

“Yes, I am (concerned),” another customer told Alworth. “It’s hard to make ends meet as it is now. It’s going to get worse.”

LONGSHOREMEN UNION’S DEMAND FOR A TOTAL BAN ON AUTOMATION IS CALLING INTO DOUBTS NOW THAT A PORT STRIKE HAS BEEN HAPPENED

Unionized dock workers in the International Association of Dock Workerswhich represents 45,000 members at East Coast and Gulf Coast ports, could go on strike starting Oct. 1 if an agreement isn’t reached by late Monday.

Some American shoppers are stocking up on essentials ahead of the possible October 1 port strike. (Getty Images)

The two sides in the labor dispute are at an impasse over issues such as wages and automation at ports. A strike would likely have a knock-on effect on container availability, storage, rail and truck transport and food supplies.

“You closed the Suez Canal, the Red Sea is closed. If you have an attack on the east coast, it will be closed. Guess what? Prices are going to the moon,” Catsimatidis warned.

A third shopper said they have “had no problems” stocking up on essentials but plan to “keep an eye on what’s going on”.

The fourth customer FOX Business spoke to said they will “probably most likely stock up” to avoid potential stockouts like those seen during the COVID pandemic, but that they will be buying things “day by day.”

“I’ve been so busy that I haven’t done that (change my shopping habits), but if I hadn’t been busy I would probably shop in Westchester and bring the food here because it’s much cheaper there,” said one of the previous shoppers. “I think prices are already so high because of the current administration, and I think it’s only going to get worse.”

Citing an analysis from JP Morgan estimating that a strike would cost the US economy up to $5 billion a day, Catsimatidis argued that the optics could not look worse for the Biden administration and the Harris-Walz campaign.

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“This won’t be very good for Vice President Harris because she depends on lower prices. Well, guess what? There’s no price gouging if prices are going to be higher than ever,” the supermarket giant said.

“Where is this government?” he stated. “Prices will go higher than ever. (Biden) should put an end to it at least until after the election.”

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Suzanne O’Halloran of FOX Business contributed to this report.